I have conflicted feelings about technology. When it works the way I expect, I see it as a valuable tool that makes life easier. However, when it has glitches or requires skills beyond what I have, I throw my hands up in frustration and rant about the way it is taking over our society.
One aspect of technology that I embrace with enthusiasm is the “pause” button. Whether it’s for halting a video temporarily to take notes or pausing a movie for a bathroom break, I love having that kind of control. The action stops until I start it again.
I’ve been thinking about God’s view on having “pause” buttons in life. Genesis 2:1-3 records the first instance of this when God finishes the work of creation:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
God chose to rest even though He never grows tired or weary. I like to think He did this as an example for us to follow. Resting is meant to be a regular part of our lives. However, for many of us living in modern times, being still seems nearly impossible. Although the world spins on its axis at the same rate it always has, the pace of life seems to grow faster and faster.
Scheduling time to push life’s pause button helps us to be rejuvenated and to keep our priorities in order. I’m always amazed by how my energy and enthusiasm rebound after I’ve rested. For me, spending time with people and pouring into them gives me great fulfillment. However, if I don’t allow margin in my schedule for time alone and time with God, I become depleted and lose the joy that comes from being with others. I have nothing left to offer because I haven’t taken time to get filled up by God.
Conversely, when I spend too much time working alone, I also feel drained. Writing a Bible study or blog flows easily when I’m rested and aligned with God. However, when I’m struggling for an idea or pushing myself to meet a self-imposed deadline, the flow of ideas dries up quickly. Then, it’s time to push away from the computer and ask God to re-energize me. When I let my brain rest and stop trying to figure something out, God brings me exactly what I need.
For many of us, learning to be still takes discipline. Sometimes it’s easier to continue running on the hamster wheel instead of risking the jump off. When I’m stuck in a holding pattern of busyness, God whispers to me softly:
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
I like the NET translation of this verse too:
“He says, ‘Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!’”
So often our striving and busyness are like taskmasters relentlessly spurring us on. Being still helps us remember who God is. It reminds us He holds all the power. Pausing allows us to step back and evaluate what we’re doing to make sure it fits with God’s plan and our priorities. Being still causes us to relinquish the illusion of control and to gain a fresh perspective as God rejuvenates our bodies, minds and spirits.
How about pushing the pause button right now? Give yourself three minutes and twenty-four seconds to stop striving as you listen to Kari Jobe’s song “Be Still.” Listen with your eyes closed and let the truth of the words sink into your mind. If you’re feeling weary, I pray you’ll find refreshment for your soul.
I still remember the scene like it was yesterday, even though it happened quite a while ago. It was my first year working in a large public high school and I was off to a rough start as the new Leadership teacher. On this particular day, I stood in the classroom watching out the window as a group of students crowded boisterously around a soda machine just outside. The bell rang and as my Student Government kids began trickling in, most of them were grinning and holding frosty cans of soda. One turned to me and explained with glee, “That soda machine outside is broken and the door is open. Everyone’s getting free sodas!”
I turned to the student and said simply, “Hand me that can and go collect them from everyone else.” My tone of voice told him not to question me. As the students began to protest the confiscation, I spoke up, “Can someone tell me who owns the soda machine?”
I met eyes with a few of the kids and they looked away. One spoke up hesitantly, “Uh, I guess the school does.”
I continued, “That’s right. And do you remember seeing a line item on our Student Government Budget that says ‘Soda Commissions?’ Can someone tell me who gets that money?”
Another student raised her hand sheepishly, “Um, our school athletics programs and the Student Government get the money.”
I nodded and continued, “So, when you’re taking those sodas out of the machine, are they free, or are you stealing them?”
Now, I had everyone looking wide-eyed at me. One boy tried to defend their actions. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess we’re stealing them from ourselves and the other students. But the machine was open, so it’s not our fault if people are taking them.”
Barely able to contain my anger, I responded with a measured tone of voice, “You are student leaders and if you see something like that happening, it is your responsibility to lead by example. Rather than joining in what was happening, one of you should have stood by the machine and someone else should have gotten an adult to help. You set the tone at this school and I expect you to act with integrity.”
Another hand shot up, “Uh, Mrs. McCullum, I don’t even know what that word means and I’m pretty sure no one else does either.”
I answered simply, “Integrity is doing the right thing whether anyone is watching or not. It is being a person with a consistent character who chooses to do what is right because it is right and for no other reason.” I paused and thought for a moment before continuing, “I think we’re going to spend some time learning about what a true leader is, even if it means we plan a few less activities this year.”
Since that eye-opening day, I’ve realized that the quality of integrity is rarely discussed and poorly understood by our culture. So, when I saw Kelly Minter touch on it in Week 6, Day 3 of our study, I wanted to stand up and cheer.
Whether we’re discussing teenagers in the twenty first century or Levites in 444 BC, integrity is a crucial characteristic that is in short supply in our world. Nehemiah talks about it in two different instances in his story. The first is when he chooses leaders for the city after the wall is built:
“I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.” -Nehemiah 7:2
The second time is when he returns to Jerusalem later and makes some final reforms after the people stray from the agreement they made to care for the temple and the Levites. Nehemiah lists his choice of leaders and explains his decision:
“I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because they were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.” -Nehemiah 13:13
Minter explains: “The world doesn’t need more wealth, strength, power, or skill as much as it desperately needs trustworthy people. My heart is never more at rest, my soul never more at peace than when I am in the presence of a person of integrity. I find relational serenity in never having to second-guess what the person really meant, not having to dodge gossip or duck drama. When I have the assurance that a person’s word is true, motives pure, and intents just, I have found a rare treasure indeed…the names we just read through [in Nehemiah 13:13] don’t carry a lot of meaning, but they represent faithful and loyal people Nehemiah could count on. Our world could be no more in need of such trustworthy souls today.” (Nehemiah, A Heart Can Break pp. 153-4)
Many people have a “public self” and a “private self.” The “public self” shows well and says the right things. The “private self”, however, is where the truth resides. It is where authentic thoughts, feelings and attitudes reveal themselves. Usually, it is also where some of the less appealing aspects of our characters exist: the secret struggles with sin, hidden addictions, quiet judgments of others, critical thoughts, self-pity, entitlement, impatience. We may not like to admit it, but we all have those things inside us to varying degrees.
God values integrity and if we are serious about wanting to follow Him, then we need to start removing the façade of our “public selves” and relinquishing our “private selves” for Him to do a little house cleaning. We need to show consistency of character, even when God is the only one who notices.
Here are a few questions to consider as you evaluate where you need to let God refine your character and build a firm foundation of integrity in you:
-Do I say what I mean?
-Do I mean what I say?
-Do I have ulterior motives when I want to get involved in an activity, with a group or with a person?
-Do I treat things people tell me in confidence as sacred secrets not to be shared?
-Do I adapt how I am around certain people in order to fit in?
-Do I roll my eyes or make derogatory comments about people after interacting with them?
-Do I talk about people behind their backs?
-Does my language change based on who I’m with?
-Do I say “yes” to things I really don’t want to do?
-Do I participate in activities or behaviors that I know aren’t pleasing to God?
-Do I ever drop hints, make subtle comments or make digs to let my opinion be known instead of just saying it clearly?
-Am I beyond reproach in how I handle my finances?
-Do I take advantage of people and situations for personal or financial gain?
-Do I justify “white lies” as okay in certain circumstances?
-Am I teaching my children or grandchildren the importance of integrity and demonstrating it in my own actions?
-Do I tell “half truths” or omit certain pieces of information to cover up a wrongdoing or to get something I want?
-Do I turn a blind eye to things I know are wrong happening within my sphere of influence?
-Do I cover up my mistakes or admit them?
-Do I compromise what is right to save myself money, time or inconvenience?
-Do I intentionally conceal things from my spouse?
-Would my behavior, thoughts and attitudes be pleasing to Jesus?
-Do I keep my word?
-Do I follow through on commitments?
-Do I base my decisions on what others are doing or on what is the right thing to do?
-Does what I say I believe match with how I live my life daily?
-Do I speak up when an error is made in my favor?
-Do I take action to right a wrong even if it is inconvenient or costly to me in some way?
-Do people consider me authentic and sincere?
If any of these questions caught your attention, take time to stop, pray and ask God to reveal where your life needs a fresh infusion of integrity. You don’t have to do this on your own strength. He will supply what you need when you humbly admit your need to Him. Sometimes this means retraining ourselves to respond differently to a situation instead of letting our “default mode” take over. Other times it involves breaking unhealthy habits, patterns or cycles. Trust God to help you take the steps needed to make the situation right, no matter how difficult it is.
Integrity Matters to God
Integrity should matter to us because it matters to God. Here are a few of the many verses that discuss it:
“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.” -1 Chronicles 29:17
“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.” –Psalm 25:21
“Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.” –Psalm 41:12
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” –Proverbs 10:9
“Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.” –Proverbs 13:6
Integrity Affects Our Impact on Others
Integrity also matters to others. If we claim to be Christians but lack integrity, our witness is ruined. Our actions often speak so loudly that people can’t hear the words we say.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” –Titus 2:7-8
Let God Supply Your Integrity
If you are feeling convicted or overwhelmed, keep in mind that even Paul had to rely on God’s grace to supply the integrity he needed to minister effectively:
“Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.” -2 Corinthians 1:12
I’ll borrow Kelly Minter’s words as my closing prayer in this quest for integrity:
“May we seek to be people that God and others can trust, people whose deeds do not change whether we are in the dark or the light, whether we’ve been entrusted with little or much.” (p. 154)
Click on the link below to hear Francesca Battistelli’s song “It’s Your Life.” Think about how the words apply to being a person of integrity.
In the Northern California climate, bare root roses are usually planted in January. My husband and I moved into our house a number of years ago in mid-February. So, for close to a year I eagerly anticipated the time when we could finally start our very own rose garden. We went to a nursery and studied labels, carefully choosing the colors and varieties we wanted to plant along the side of our driveway in the front yard.
It was hard work digging holes and planting in the winter soil, but it was worth the effort when we envisioned the beautiful roses that would bloom a few months later. We’d chosen colors in a variety of shades: pink, yellow, white, red, coral and lavender. They had names like “Mr. Lincoln” and “Touch of Class” embossed on metal tags hanging around the main stalks of the plants. We kept them attached even after planting so we could remember their names later.
As winter turned to spring, green shoots and fat buds began to appear on our new rose plants. I’d check them regularly– excited to see which colors would show first. Then, one morning, I discovered all of the buds were gone. It looked almost as if someone had come into our yard and snipped them off with a pair of clippers. I was perplexed, angry and disappointed. I couldn’t imagine who would have done such a thing.
Later that evening, as the sun was setting, a family of dear gracefully wandered into our yard. As I moved to the window to watch them, I was horrified to discover they were brazenly snacking on my rose plants. What had looked like a clean cut from a pair of garden shears had actually been the teeth of several deer.
When I went back to the nursery where we’d bought the roses to explain our predicament, the employee there was less than sympathetic: “Yea, deer eat just about anything. They don’t care about thorns. I can sell you some stuff to spray on the flowers to make them taste bad, but you have to use it all the time. Those deer are pretty tenacious.”
I bought the spray and tried it for a while, but finally gave up. It smelled bad and the deer ate the blooms anyway. For several years, we just relinquished any hope of ever seeing a bud, let alone a fully blooming rose. I couldn’t even remember what color flowers we’d planted and had only the metal tags to remind me.
Finally, one winter we decided to risk uprooting our rose bushes and re-planting them in the backyard. It would either kill them or give them a new lease on life. We hoped they would survive the transplant and would thrive safely tucked behind our high fence where deer couldn’t get at them. Sure enough, that spring, we began to see buds forming. Eventually after years of waiting to see roses, our backyard was filled with blooms in a multitude of colors. I could enjoy them from the window or clip them to put in vases or give them to friends. All it took was guarding the roses from the hungry deer that devoured them.
Those roses were one of the first things I pictured as I read Kelly Minter’s words in the week 2 lesson of Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break. Until I fenced them in for protection, they never reached their full blooming potential. In the study, Minter describes how Nehemiah and his fellow Jews focused their attention on rebuilding the gates around the walls of Jerusalem. She explains: “Little is as important to a city as guarding the places where people come and go. Jerusalem’s walls meant nothing without fortified gates—every door, bolt, and bar had to be scrutinized and secured. This led me to think about the ‘gates’ in my life, what I allow to enter my seeing and hearing…The question became, ‘What am I allowing in and out?’ Have you ever wondered if ‘mindless entertainment’ might actually be a wide-open gate in your life by which many hurtful and deceiving ideas are sliding straight into your thinking? What about the friendships you keep, the magazines you read, the conversations in which you choose to engage? Are your doors open to uplifting, truth-telling and life-giving, or to what corrodes your soul?” (p. 43).
If we’re not on our guards, the good things in our lives can be infiltrated and ruined by the enemy, just like my roses. Proverbs 4:23 says it clearly: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” I started thinking about the times in my life when I’ve let my guard down and have allowed my heart to be influenced in ways that are not beneficial to my walk with God. See if you can relate to any of the areas below where your “soul gates” might need a bit of shoring up:
Entertainment
Kelly Minter mentioned in her video how people often excuse inappropriate subject matter because it is funny. She pointed out that even sin can seem funny but that “if it put Jesus on the cross, it’s not funny.” I started thinking about all the ways we can be entertained that have the potential to leave our “soul gates” wide open to ungodly influences.
-TV Shows and Movies: Often they subtly or blatantly give messages contrary to God’s teaching. I think about this in relation to my kids and ask myself how their worldview might be shaped by what they’re seeing. When we come across something that doesn’t fit with God’s word, we talk about it and point out the message that is contrary to God’s plans for us. Talk shows and reality shows espouse unbiblical worldviews as much as dramas and sitcoms, so it’s important to consider them too.
-Music: Song lyrics spout messages constantly. I have one child who particularly enjoys listening to “hit music” on the radio. Many of the songs are catchy and fun, but it’s important to listen to the message behind the beat. Recently my son and I had a conversation about a song with the recurring line: “Are you gonna stay the night/ Doesn’t mean we’re bound for life.” He was a little annoyed and embarrassed when we talked about how the song’s message didn’t fit with God’s design for sex, but he listened and accepted what I said. Now, when the song comes on we can joke about it and roll our eyes, realizing the not so subtle message it gives. Sometimes my boys and I look up song lyrics online to clarify or discuss the content. We can’t keep our kids or ourselves entirely in a bubble, but we can learn to recognize the way the world influences us so we don’t fall for it.
-Books: We need to be wise about the non-fiction and fiction books we read. Even those fun “beach reads” have an impact on our thought lives, for better or for worse. Our imaginations have few limits and when they’re fed ideas that don’t fit with God’s plan, we are opening our “soul gates” unwisely.
-Websites/ Chat rooms/ Blogs: The places we frequent on the Internet also impact our thought lives significantly and can lead to a breakdown in the walls around our souls. Are you considering that with the content you absorb online?
-Magazines: How are the articles you read influencing you? Do the magazines you read make you wish for bigger and better material possessions? Do they turn the personal lives of strangers into scintillating gossip? Do they tempt you to eat and drink in ways that you’ll regret later? Do they influence your worldview in ways that draw you closer to God or that pull you farther away from Him?
-Talk Radio: Talk radio can fill our minds with ideas. Do the people you listen to on the radio continually espouse specific views and label groups of people? Do they vilify certain people or groups? This happens easily on talk shows centered on politics. Keep in mind, whether you agree with someone’s political views or not, they are still loved by God. Sometimes when we draw political lines in the sand, it’s hard to reach out in love to people whose labels don’t match the ones with which we agree.
-E-mail forwards: Do you think carefully before you forward “thought provoking” or “funny” e-mails to friends and family? Do you think about how they have influenced you and how they might influence others? Do you check to see if information you are forwarding is factual? Do you think about whether the recipients need more e-mails in their inboxes?
The links below provide resources for reviewing movies, TV shows and other media. They are a great way to screen in advance what you plan to watch or to let your kids watch. The first is from Focus on the Family, the second is from Common Sense Media:
A good guideline to keep in mind for entertainment is to think of Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Relationships
The people we spend time with influence us profoundly. Here are a few questions to think about how they might be influencing you in different ways:
-Do the people you spend time with point you towards God or away from Him?
-Are your peers positive and encouraging or negative and bitter?
-The Bible calls us to be salt and light to a world in darkness—are you rubbing off on your non-Christian friends and acquaintances or are they rubbing off on you?
-If you’re married: Do the people you spend time with make your marriage stronger? Do your friends know more about the highs and lows of your marriage than your spouse? What parameters do you place around your interactions with the opposite sex? (Sometimes we may think we’ve been married too long for these things to be issues-yet our culture is full of marriages that crumble even after twenty, thirty or forty years. We must be relentless in protecting our marriages at every stage in life.)
-Do you seek out friends to provide support and wisdom before you ever consider seeking God? Kelly Minter cautions: “Even well-meaning people can unintentionally draw us away from God’s will in our lives” (p.58).
-Do you spend time with people who take pleasure in being critical of others?
-How easy is it to get drawn into gossip in your circle of friends and acquaintances?
-Does the sarcasm and cynicism of others rub off on you?
-Do you spend time with people who expect you to “show well” and put up a façade?
-Do you downplay your faith around certain friends and acquaintances?
Colossians 3:1-17 provides some great instructions for relationships:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is yourlife, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
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There are a lot of challenging issues to think and pray about in the paragraphs above. If you’re feeling convicted, just keep this in mind: the goal of these questions isn’t to make you feel guilty, but to help you find the places where your “soul gates” need strengthening. Strong gates allow your spiritual garden to flourish and give God room to develop your potential. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep your soul gates strong. Let Him monitor what comes and goes through them. You may not realize the ways you can bloom spiritually until you notice what is coming through your “soul gates” and guard against the things that will damage your walk with God. I didn’t realize the beauty I was missing until we took the time to move our roses. It was worth the effort.
For some additional perspective on this topic, click on the link below to hear Casting Crowns’ song “Slow Fade.” It’s a great reminder for why keeping your “soul gates” intact is so important.
“Twenty-six days until Christmas!” My twelve-year old son announced gleefully as we pulled into the driveway after a Thanksgiving trip visiting family. I could feel the knot of dread forming in my stomach. Christmas was less than a month away and I had not done one thing to prepare. It felt like the train was leaving the station and I was standing on the platform watching it go. On top of that, I was already worn out and not looking forward to jumping back into the regular responsibilities of daily life. I was feeling heavy hearted and discouraged that some old frustrations were re-surfacing after I thought they’d been resolved. Suffice it to say, it was not a good way to kick off the Christmas season.
I woke up early the next morning with my mind swimming. There were so many things I needed to do, I felt overwhelmed with where to begin. Knowing I wasn’t going to fall back to sleep, I pulled back the covers and decided I might as well be productive in spite of my lack of energy. I could already sense I was starting the day off on the wrong foot and realized before I tackled any tasks, I needed some time alone in God’s word and prayer. I grabbed my Bible study book and thumbed through to Week Two, Day Four in Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still. I had to laugh as I read the title “The Rest of Faith.” I’d never fully understood this phrase before and certainly wasn’t experiencing it at that moment. Did “rest” mean “remainder” as in “the rest of the story”? Or did it literally mean “peace of mind or spirit?” As I delved into Kay Arthur’s study it was as if the lesson had been written specifically for me to read on that very day.
The study examines the passage in Hebrews 3:7- 4:3. In case you don’t have a Bible handy, here it is:
So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world.
Before diving into an explanation of the passage, the lesson directed me to read Numbers 13 & 14, which is the story that the Hebrews passage refers to in chapters 3 & 4. The Numbers passage describes the Israelites arriving at the Promised Land (the first time). In the Numbers story, 12 spies are sent by Moses to scout out the land for 40 days. Upon returning, they report that the land is flowing with milk and honey, just as God had promised. However, ten of the spies finish the description of the bountiful land with foreboding: “But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large” (Numbers 13:28). Only two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, advise the Israelites to go through with God’s plan. In Numbers 14:7-9, Joshua and Caleb say to the people:
“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Instead of listening to Joshua and Caleb, the people cry out against them and ultimately, against God. Because of this rebellion, God declares that the Israelites will wander in the desert for 40 years, one year for every day the spies scouted out the land. Further, He strikes the 10 spies who had given a bad report with a plague and they die immediately. Out of all the adults over 20, only Joshua and Caleb survive and live to enter God’s rest in the Promised Land 40 years later. (You may remember the story of their second time entering the Promised Land from my earlier blog and/ or the live talk at Focused Living entitled “Finding Your 20 Seconds of Courage.”)
Kay Arthur points out how sad it is that “instead of believing and trusting God and His Word, [the Israelites] threw a tantrum of unbelief that cost them 40 years of wandering in the wilderness…Only Joshua and Caleb were spared, and that is because they were the two spies who believed in God” (p. 47).
Contrast the fear of the people with the reassurance that Caleb tries to provide them: “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). Kay explains: “This… is the rest of faith…Rest is uniting the Word of faith and living in it at that very moment. It’s the action of faith for today—for this moment, this situation” (p.47). According to Hebrews 3:19, the Israelites were disobedient because they showed unbelief. This is what prevented them from entering into God’s rest in the Promised Land. For them, the rest would have been both literal (not having to wander in the desert anymore) and figurative (having spiritual peace).
Hebrews tells us we do not have to make the same mistake the Israelites made. “For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said” (Hebrews 4:3). We enter into God’s rest when we accept Christ as our Savior, and we continue to enter into His rest every time we show Him we believe His word to be true through our actions and attitudes. Entering God’s rest starts with one decision and then becomes an ongoing series of choices in our lives daily.
Belief in God shows by our actions. This boils down to a simple question: Do we live like we believe? If so, we should be receiving His rest. For me, that means spending less time trying to work things out on my own wisdom and spending more time seeking God. Once I’ve laid a situation at His feet, my job is to trust Him by resting in Him. In my life, this has more to do with a change of focus than anything else.
The morning that I woke up with a bad attitude, heavy with discouragement and totally unprepared for Christmas, I had to do some serious soul-searching. I was convicted that if I really believed the Christmas season was about celebrating the birth of Jesus, then I had no reason to be stressed and anxious. I’d lost my focus by worrying about all of the tasks that seemed so daunting to me.
The start of the Christmas season is often accompanied by a ramp up of stress for many people. The holidays tend to accentuate areas in our lives where we don’t have peace. It could be something simple such as worrying about all of the shopping, decorating and cooking to be done. It could be something deeper. The holidays often exacerbate loneliness or shine a spotlight on difficult relationships. Sometimes they remind us of our weaknesses when we succumb to the temptation to eat and drink too much. They might emphasize the inadequacy we feel when our bank accounts can’t cover the purchases we want to make. For those struggling with depression, the dark days of December and the swirl of activity can make their spirits descend even further. Sadly, there are many of us who feel exempt from the Angels’ pronouncement in Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Regardless of the circumstance in our lives that rob us of our peace, God invites us to believe His promises and to find rest in Him. Scroll back up and take a look at the photo at the top of this posting. That sleeping little boy is my younger son when he was two–the same one who is now twelve that I mentioned earlier. He was so worn out after a busy day he’d spontaneously fallen asleep on the couch. He had no choice but to enter into the deep rest he so desperately needed. That’s what the rest of faith is all about- relinquishing our need to control and trusting God to work in His perfect timing.
If you find yourself feeling weary and worn, let the song below bring you some encouragement. You are not alone—let God’s redemptive power work in you as you trust Him to give you exactly what you need for each moment.
Click here to listen to “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North.
I grew up in a household that placed a high value on knowing and studying the Bible. It wasn’t so much in what my parents said as in what they did to show us their priorities. Throughout my childhood I watched my parents devote themselves to participating in weekly Bible studies that required a fair amount of homework. I can remember coming home from school to find my mom at the kitchen table with her papers spread all over as she pored over her enormous “parallel” Bible (four translations in one book). Any time I stayed home sick, I couldn’t watch TV until my mom had finished listening to her favorite Bible teachers on the radio. This was a daily activity for her as she worked in the kitchen or did housework while all of us kids were at school. It seemed boring to me at the time, but her actions influenced me more than I realized.
Looking back, I see my parents treated studying the Bible as a priority in their schedules. It wasn’t drudgery or something they did because the “had” to do it. And it wasn’t a luxury that they did only when they’d finished all of the other “important” tasks that demanded their time. It was just woven into the fabric of their schedules.
When my oldest son was born, one of my goals for my first year at home with him was to find a Bible study. Following my parents’ example, I wanted to immerse myself in God’s word with more discipline and consistency than I had before. It has been fourteen years since I set out to get serious about studying the Bible. I’ve been blessed to see the benefits of pursuing that goal. The more I’ve studied it, the more I’ve realized what a rich and layered book it is. And the more I’ve studied, the more I’ve changed, grown and gained wisdom as God has revealed Himself to me through the pages of His holy word.
Once I started seeing positive results, I was motivated to keep pushing myself further. Old things that used to seem appealing suddenly weren’t as enticing anymore. Each new truth I discovered opened my eyes to God’s character, goodness and grace, causing me to love Him more and to be grateful for all He’d done for me. His word gave me hope and strength in hard times and confidence to be stretched in new ways. Studying with others who had similar goals also helped me on the road to growing deeper.
Making time to study the Bible has not always been easy. Over the years I’ve crossed paths with many people like me who have faced challenges in their quest to know and live God’s word. Here are three of the most prevalent issues students of the Bible face:
Viewing Studying the Bible as Drudgery
Sometimes it’s easy to fall into the mindset of thinking studying scripture is something we “should” do because it’s good for us. Kind of like eating your vegetables when you’re a kid. Yet, in 2 Timothy, Paul says: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) If we dabble in Bible study and view it as drudgery, this makes it difficult to handle the word of truth correctly. If we’re doing it just to check it off our “to do” lists, chances are it’s not really impacting our lives much.
The writer of Hebrews describes it this way: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good from evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Viewing Studying the Bible as a Luxury
Kay Arthur comments in the Session 1 video of Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still that “we’re so entangled with the affairs of this life that we’re not studying the Word of God as we ought to.” Sometimes we view time studying the Bible as a luxury or a “bonus” that we can indulge once we’ve gotten all of our “important” tasks finished. When I get up in the morning I’m often tempted to check my phone or computer before I open my Bible. However, when I do this I usually get sucked into the day’s events and neglect that quiet time in God’s word I so desperately need. “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) Just like we need food every day, we need God’s word every day. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Losing Focus with Priorities
Sometimes I joke that the problem with America is that we have too many choices. There are so many things vying for our time and attention that seem good, important or just plain fun. We fill our schedules full and then complain that we “don’t have time” for studying the Bible. We’re so busy doing that we’ve forgotten how to be. Many Christians find disciplined study of the Bible infringes on their schedules in light of all their other obligations. When they do find themselves with “down time,” they are too exhausted for the serious study that leads to maturity.
Yet, in Hebrews 2:1, we see an important reminder: “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Paying careful attention requires time, effort and commitment. Reading, studying and knowing the Bible needs to be woven into the fabric of our daily lives, not something we do haphazardly when we have a few extra minutes. When we let other priorities take precedence over studying God’s word, we don’t grow and mature as we’re meant to and we forego the vital spiritual nutrients we need to survive.
Ideas for Realigning Our Focus
Most of us have probably found ourselves in one or all of the categories above at different points in our lives. Read below to diagnose your current challenge and to get some practical ideas for getting back on track.
Drudgery: It may feel like drudgery when we’re more motivated by outward influences. If you find yourself feeling “guilty” for not studying the Bible more, it might have more to do with worrying what others think than really wanting to know God’s word. Perhaps you are someone who just plain doesn’t like reading, studying and doing homework. If either of these describes you, pray and ask God to increase your desire for His word and to help you see and feel why studying it is beneficial.
Luxury: If your problem is viewing studying the Bible as a luxury, try fasting from food for a day. (I’m serious). Every time your stomach rumbles, you’ll be reminded that food is a necessity, not a luxury, just like God’s word.
Prioritizing Your Time: If you struggle with making time in God’s word a priority, try evaluating your schedule. Take an honest look at how you spent your time in the last week. Are there moments that you could have used more wisely? In my life, screens can often be major time-suckers- whether it is checking e-mail, scanning Facebook, researching something online, relaxing in front of the TV or checking my phone. If you can relate, try to put time studying the Bible before these activities instead of saving it for after. Or, try turning off screens half an hour earlier so you can get up in the morning and start your day in God’s word.
Whatever might be keeping you from delving into the Bible more deeply, I encourage you to seek God’s help and ask a trusted friend to keep you accountable.
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things” (Philippians 3:13b-15a).
What tips do you have for encouraging others to be disciplined in their study of God’s Word? Take a moment to comment and let us know.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I was talking with a friend about Lysa TerKeurst’s What Happens When Women Say “Yes” to God and she said, “Saying ‘yes’ to God is about the little things every day. Over time, they have a cumulative effect and add up to something pretty amazing.” So often we think saying “yes” is only about the really big things, but it is a series of little “yeses” all along the way that prepare us for those larger scale things God wants to do in and through us.
Looking back, I see that God used a series of “Yes” responses in my life in powerful ways. Each affirmative answer was layered on top of the one that went before it. God had a perfect plan from the start- He was just waiting for different people to play their parts. Here is how the story goes…
Six years ago as summer was winding down, I bumped into an acquaintance that was volunteering at Back to School Registration. We chatted briefly and just as I was about to say goodbye, she asked, “Hey, Marybeth, I’m inviting some women from school to be in a small group at my church Bible study. Are you interested in joining it?” Julie was not someone I knew well and from my place of insecurity, I saw her as president of everything and friends with everyone. She was always nice to me, I just felt intimidated because of my own issues. Still, I’d been praying since school got out for a Bible study with more Christian women from my kids’ public school. This seemed like the answer to my prayers so I said, “Yes, I’m interested. How do I sign up?”
A year later, one of the Bible study’s coordinators invited me to co-facilitate a group for the following year. I was flattered, but I didn’t consider myself the “women’s ministry” type. My passion had always been working with teens, and I wasn’t sure I was equipped to shepherd my peers. However, I sensed God calling me to branch out and see how my past experience could translate to impacting women. So, I said, “Yes.” I was blessed beyond measure by facilitating. I grew deeper in my faith and in relationships with godly women of all ages.
A few years into facilitating, my older son was starting Middle School when I received a phone call, “Would you be willing to serve as our school’s Parent Education Representative?” I’d never been involved much with PTA before. However, the more I learned about the position, the more I sensed God nudging me to accept it. With my past experience working in a public high school, it felt like a good fit. And so, I said, “Yes.” Almost immediately, God gave me an idea that I had the opportunity to implement through my PTA position.
In my new role, I approached one of our pastors, Mark, with a big request, “I love what my husband has been learning in the men’s group at church. Would you be willing to take the time to adapt it for a Parent Education evening at my son’s school?” He said, “Are you kidding? I pray for opportunities like this! Yes!” A few months later, Mark, spoke to 150 men in our public school about “Raising Boys to be of Character.” Our principal had never seen so many dads show up for an event in all her years of education. She was truly baffled and amazed. Mark was even asked to return three months afterwards to do a follow up workshop. Now, two years later, Mark has spoken about raising boys at least a dozen times and continues to be a sought after speaker in our public schools. His message has impacted hundreds of lives because he said, “Yes” to the idea God inspired in me when I said “Yes” to serving on the PTA.
After Mark spoke at my son’s school that first time, I was so excited that I shared during an open microphone time at Bible study. Later that morning, a woman approached me, “Hi, I’m Kirsten. I loved your sharing today and would like to write about it on a local news website. Can I interview you?” The answer was easy, I said, “Yes.”
Kirsten sent an e-mail with a few follow up questions after our interview. A tag line under her name caught my attention: “Are you a mom who likes to write? Join our Writing Moms group.” As a former English teacher, I’d been writing for years, I just hadn’t shared it with many people because I was too insecure. Tentatively, I probed for more information and finally responded “Yes” when she invited me to a writers group meeting. My heart pounded as I walked in, but the women were warm, friendly and encouraging. Instead of feeling intimidated by them, I felt welcomed and validated.
A few months later, Kirsten approached me, “Would you consider writing a blog on Rich Stearns’ book The Hole in Our Gospel for the news website I write for?” I’d barely ever read a blog and had no idea what writing one entailed. Our church was studying the book, but I knew very little about it. On top of that, our house was being remodeled and we were already had a lot going on. However, I’d been praying for subject matter to write about and an audience with whom I could share it. Now, both were being offered to me. After talking and praying with my husband, we realized I needed to say, “Yes.” We decided God would equip me with the time and inspiration I needed to write the blogs.
My involvement with the local news website opened another door for me, enabling me to write a different blog about our home remodel. Over a year and a half I chronicled all of the crazy things that happened and what God was teaching me through them. Both blogs enabled me to share stories about God’s transforming power on a public non-Christian website. I was amazed to see how God used the stories to touch lives.
By the spring of 2012, I sensed God preparing me for a new challenge. I’d been steadily co-facilitating a small group and loving every minute of it. However, I needed to say “No” to make room for a new “Yes.” It was a step of faith and obedience for me to put aside facilitating without knowing what would come next. A few months later, God made it clear when Karen, the Bible Study Coordinator, asked me to start writing a blog for the next year.
Although God had been preparing me, this newest “Yes” stretched me in significant ways. First and foremost, I was not technology savvy and felt overwhelmed about setting up and maintaining my own blog. Secondly, I realized writing about our studies meant I not only had to complete them weekly, but that I had to get them done early. I also had to come up with something worthwhile to say every week. With trepidation, I said, “Yes,” knowing I would have to rely on God every step of the way.
I could not have kept up the pace of completing the studies and writing something weekly if God had not given me the time and inspiration along with the support of a faithful prayer team. Looking back, it’s clear how each small “Yes” prepared me for the next one. God never revealed more than I needed to know, He just asked me to trust Him enough to answer “Yes” one step at a time.
There have been a few other side benefits to saying, “Yes” over the past six years. My faith has grown significantly. I’ve made some amazing new friendships by rubbing shoulders with different people. My confidence in God’s ability to equip me and use me has grown, and my insecurities have diminished. People who intimidated me because of their strength have become trusted friends who have cheered me along.
Any person who says “Yes” to God has stories to share. Hopefully my “Yes” moments have given you a glimpse of that, but now it’s your turn. Take a moment to look back at your own “Yes” stories and share one. Then, pray that God will prepare you for the “Yeses” yet to come.
One of my main motivations for saying, “Yes” has been to invite God to further His kingdom here on earth. Last fall I discovered the Irish band Rend Collective Experiment and their inspiring song called “Build Your Kingdom Here”. It has become a prayer for me each time I hear it. Click on the link below- you’ll want to stand up and shout, “Yes” to God.
