Category: Trusting God

God’s Refining Fire

A tattered newspaper clipping fell to the floor as I turned the pages of an old photo album. Picking it up, I realized it was an article that my mom had saved for over 25 years. At the top of the page there’s a photo of me brimming with youthful exuberance. The paper from 1993 tells the story of my first day as a new high school teacher. I was young and naïve and had agreed to let a reporter spend the day with me, at the request of the school district.

Looking back all these years later, I smirked as I read the reporter’s observations about my Leadership class: “It is quickly obvious that this class will take up much of [Marybeth’s] time. [She] will serve as adviser to the school’s student leaders. She seems energized by the challenge and spends 45 minutes after class talking with the student body president and vice president.” (Michael Bazeley, Tri-Valley Herald, September 9, 1993)

Little did I know at the time that within a few weeks, I’d be crying to my fiancée, wishing I’d never accepted what had seemed like the perfect job for me. The students were used to running the show and didn’t like the changes I wanted to make. I’d had such grand plans for imparting my wisdom to them, but all they wanted was my signature on forms and an adult presence to appease the school administration. Both teacher and students had a lot to learn that year.

That season in my life came to mind when I read Kelly Minter’s questions in Finding God Faithful: ”Have you ever been unhappy with the people God has assigned you to? Have you ever thought, I could do a bang-up job for the Lord if He had just given me different family members, more efficient coworkers, a better church?” (p. 48) That teaching job was one of several times I’ve lamented the situation where God has placed me. 

Minter springboards from these convicting questions to explain how God used Joseph’s time in prison described in Genesis 39 & 40. She says the Lord’s purpose was to refine and prepare Joseph for the work he would do later. Minter explains that God “tests us to grow us, strengthen us, and refine us. The imagery of gold being purified by fire references a certain process of purification. The testing doesn’t depend on what’s passing through the fire, but the sureness of the fire to remove the impurities.” (p. 49)

The idea of God’s refining process appears in the Old Testament book of Malachi, which describes a messenger who will come to God’s people: “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” (Malachi 3:2, NIV) Spiritual renewal comes through the testing and cleansing we endure. Refining fire brings precious metal to light, just as strong detergent cleans dirty clothes. The refining process isn’t meant to punish God’s people, but to prepare the way of the Lord. It trains us in obedience so we can be restored to God and can fulfill His purposes for us.*

For me, that first year teaching was a refining process for my character and faith. It was a humbling, difficult season in my life. However, the trials I endured strengthened me and taught me how to interact with a variety of people, solve problems, communicate clearly, organize groups effectively, and cultivate rapport with others. My years working at the high school refined me in ways that I still benefit from today.

Looking at Joseph’s time in prison, it’s clear God used it as a refiner’s fire to prepare him for what was coming. He learned to lead as he worked with the guards and prisoners from all backgrounds. At the same time, he gained experience managing the prison and interacting with Egyptian officials. The Lord had given him the raw materials of leadership and Joseph’s time in prison was what He used to develop that potential.

So, with these things in mind, how would you answer Kelly Minter’s question: “Are you willing to comply with the Lord during these seasons of testing?” (page 49) Is it possible that God is refining you right now? If you’re experiencing challenges, are you willing to ask the Lord what He wants to teach you through them? Is He using people around you to highlight areas that need growth in you?

Let Joseph’s example inspire you. Despite being in prison, he used his gift of leadership and showed consistency of character. By doing this, God’s presence and favor were evident to all who encountered him. Enduring that time of suffering in prison also humbled Joseph and prepared him for the bigger plans God had in store for him. 

The refining process may not be enjoyable, but we can trust God to use it for good. Scripture reassures us of this: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV)

I pray you’ll trust God in your trials and will submit to the work of refinement He’s doing in you. Maybe He’s preparing you for something else He has planned. Let Him prove your faith is genuine for your good and His glory. Listen to the song “Refiner’s Fire” and make it your prayer today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXIzEZ3mkWE

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

*Anne Stewart, Commentary on Malachi 3:1-4

God’s Faithfulness in Suffering

Digging into the first parts of the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 and 39, it’s easy to see why it was adapted into the hit Broadway musical: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It’s a riveting tale of a favored son who had an abundance of self-confidence and not a shred of self-awareness. (We’ll cut him slack since he was only seventeen.) Three paragraphs into the story, we can already see how Joseph alienated himself from his older brothers, fostering a deep resentment in them. By the end of chapter 37, Joseph’s father gave him a special coat to show his favoritism, and his brothers promptly sold him into slavery and faked his death.

Catching up with Joseph in Genesis 39, we see that despite his dire circumstances, God was at work:

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” (Genesis 39:1-4, NIV, italics added)

Two repeated ideas jump out to me: The Lord was with Joseph and the Lord gave him success in everything he did. Joseph experienced God’s blessing and presence while he worked as a slave. Good things and hard things were happening simultaneously for him. The coexistence of these two extremes occurs often in our lives, but we struggle living in this tension. Kelly Minter explains, “In our western culture, we tend to think of God’s blessing and our suffering as mutually exclusive. We think of blessing as all the good things happening in the middle of all the good times. But in Joseph’s story we discover something that challenges our mind-set, even as believers: Certain blessings can only come in the midst of our suffering. In Egypt, Joseph was rising in power and position. He had found favor with his master, and his work was prospering. Still, all these blessing fell upon Joseph in a land far away from his family and in a culture that didn’t worship his God. The blessings were abounding in the midst of his suffering.” (p. 34) 

Those words resonate deeply with me right now as I grieve losing my mom to cancer not long ago. Sitting with her daily in her final months created many opportunities to observe God’s blessings in the midst of her suffering. Despite battling pain and discomfort, my mom continued to flash a smile and offer a word of thanks to every person who entered her room. Numerous caregivers commented about sensing a different spirit in her. Some recognized it was the Holy Spirit; all felt drawn in by the atmosphere He created.

In one of her last lucid days, I sat by my mom’s bedside reading Amazing Faith, the biography of Bill Bright, a dynamic and prayerful Christian leader. Reading together became a regular practice for us while she was on hospice. Every now and then I’d stop to make sure she was still awake and tracking with me. At one point, I looked up to find tears streaming down her face. Surprised and confused, I asked, “Mom, why are you crying?” With a tissue clenched in her fist, she gestured toward the book and said, “That story reminds me of God’s faithfulness. He’s just so good!” Within seconds, the tears were flowing for me too. It struck me that in spite of her broken body and failing health, my mom recognized God’s faithfulness. She saw this not just in the book we were reading, but in her life as well.

God’s Word was a great source of comfort for my mom. She believed Jesus’ many promises, including this one: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) No doubt she also remembered Scripture refers to Jesus as Immanuel, which means “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) What solace we can find resting in the knowledge that God is with us in good times and suffering, just as He was with Joseph. 

I wonder, is it difficult for you to trust the Lord in challenging times? Are you tempted to get bitter or to wallow in self-pity when life isn’t going your way? Perhaps it’s time to re-focus your attention on the truth that God is with you all the time. Will you believe Jesus and take heart knowing He has overcome the world, even when you can’t see how He’s working things out? Do you want to find God faithful like Joseph did? If you answered “yes,” keep journeying with me as we study Genesis 39-50 in these next few weeks. Commit to marinating in God’s Word and watch how it changes you for the better.

I saw this in my mom, who continued to bless others with her love and gratitude until she breathed her last. Never was there a trace of self-pity or bitterness. Peace, love, and warmth were the defining characteristics of her final months of life. Her favorite hymn was “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and she asked to have played at her memorial service as a testament of God’s goodness in her life. I hope you’ll enjoy this version that we listened to a few days before she died:

If you’d like to join me in celebrating my mom’s life, you can participate in the live stream of her memorial service on November 28 at 2pm by clicking here.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

Stopping the Spiral with Humility

I’ve called it many things over the years—feeling down, being in a funk, getting triggered, having my buttons pushed, riding the rollercoaster. Now, thanks to Jennie Allen’s book Get Out of Your Head, I have a new name for it: spiraling. Let me paint a picture of it for you.

Imagine you have an interaction with another person that sparks an emotion. Let’s say you feel hurt, which leads to a thought like, “I’m worthless, no one cares about me.” Your emotions spiral downward, affecting your behavior. Attempting to shield yourself from further hurt, you withdraw not only from this person, but from others as well. This behavior, in turn, affects your relationships. People you know feel ignored or rejected by your withdrawal. Your connection with them weakens, causing strained relationships as a consequence. You find yourself isolated and wallowing in hurt, validating your feelings of worthlessness.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Allen explains that spirals can progress in one of two directions, they can go “up toward God, or downward toward the thing we’re fixating on.”1 The progression follows a predictable pattern: emotions trigger thoughts which lead to behaviors that affect relationships that lead to consequences. However, we can learn “to choose thoughts that conform to the mind of Christ”2 and when we do this, “we start seeing better behaviors, better relationships, and better consequences.”3 So, our downward spirals begin to flip upward when we choose to focus on God.

For the past few weeks I’ve been working through Jennie Allen’s Get Out of Your Head: A Study in Philippians. The book identifies the primary enemies of our minds and the weapons God gives us to fight them. I’ve been able to practice what I’m learning with real-life challenges on a regular basis. It’s been powerful using these tools to stop my downward spirals before they go too far. Because it’s been beneficial to me, I’d love to share it with you. If you’re intrigued, consider picking up a copy of the study to do on your own, or with friends.

Self-Importance vs. Humility

The first enemy of our minds highlighted in the book is self-importance. It’s the sense of entitlement that makes us think we deserve special treatment. Allen explains, “We’re fed a continuous message of how much we matter, how very important we are—but in the long run, our urge to protect ourselves and promote our own awesomeness leads to more separation, more disillusionment with each other, and more insecurity and fruitless comparison.”4 Allen explains, “lasting joy will come only when God is in the center.”5 When we put God where He belongs, we rest in His power, not our own. The weapon we use to fight self-importance is humility. Consider this wisdom from Scripture:

Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Self-importance is rooted in selfish ambition and conceit. So, when we value others above ourselves and look to their interests, this diffuses the inflated view of self that sent us spiraling downward in the first place. 

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” It’s impossible to be harsh and gentle at the same time. When someone hurts us and we choose to bear with them in love, we recognize their value, in spite of their offensive behavior. Patience keeps us from making a rash judgement, overreacting, or lashing out in our pain.

1 Peter 5:5b-7 “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” When we’re anxious, worried, or upset, the wise choice is to cast those negative emotions at the foot of the cross. Entrusting them to God keeps us from striking back pridefully and assuming we’re right and the other person is wrong. If God opposes the proud, the wise response is to choose humility. This stops the negative spiral and shows the Lord we trust Him to work out the situation in whatever way He deems best. 

Psalm 25:9 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” When we’re experiencing negative emotions and we decide to share them with the Lord, we leave room for Him to show us the healthiest response. A humble heart is a teachable heart.

Imagine how the scenario I described earlier would look if we used the weapon of humility: You have an interaction with another person that sparks an emotion. You feel hurt. You decide to respond with humility. Choosing humility leads to a thought like, “Wow, that person must be having a bad day. Sometimes I say hurtful things that I don’t mean when I’m in a foul mood too. I’m not going to take that personally.” The emotion spirals upward, affecting your behavior. You give the person grace by assuming the best rather than nursing hurt feelings. This behavior, in turn, affects your relationships. Those you know appreciate your tendency to give the most generous explanation for others’ behavior. Your connection to people strengthens, which leads to positive consequences. Your relationships become healthier and you find yourself feeling grateful for the people in your life. You thank God for humbling you enough to see you’re as prone to sin as the one who offended you. Like the psalmist, you pray, “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” (Psalm 69:5, ESV)

If you find your emotions taking the lead and causing you to spin downward, remember you have a choice. Stop the spiral by using the weapon of humility. Spend time focusing on the wisdom of the verses above. Then, pray and ask God to give you the humility you need to focus on Him instead of your feelings.

Let Natalie Grant’s song “My Weapon” empower and inspire you today.

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: A Study in Philippians, Thomas Nelson Press, 2020. 1. Page 40 2. Page 42 3. Page 42 4. Page 60 5. Page 60

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

Through the Valley

Of all the headlines I’ve read related to COVID-19 in the last week, one stood out most: “The loneliness of death in the time of coronavirus.” The story described the agonizing final days of an elderly man’s life. Because he was infected with coronavirus, his daughter was barred from being by his side in the hospital. She lamented, “I couldn’t hold his hand when he took his last breath…I feel like he was alone.” The sense of anguish and lack of hope is heartbreaking.

The mood of that article stands in sharp contrast to what I studied in Psalm 23:4 this week: “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.” (NKJV) This familiar verse reminds us we’re never alone—even when people we love can’t be there. Walking with the Lord means His presence protects and comforts us even as death looms near.

The rapid spread of cornonavirus has forced us to confront the reality that life is finite and we are not in control. However, the threat of death may not be your primary concern right now. Other fears could be lurking in your mind that seem more urgent. Are you worried about a vulnerable family member getting infected, losing your job, or laying off employees? Maybe you’re fretting over missing milestones like trips, graduations, births, or weddings. Perhaps the downward slide of the stock market is keeping you awake at night envisioning your retirement account shrinking. Or maybe you’re feeling anxious about being stuck in a pattern of social distancing with no end in sight. The angst related to the pandemic leaves no one untouched. 

While some of our concerns don’t seem like outright fear, Jennifer Rothschild explains, “Fear shows up in ways we don’t realize. Being overly controlling is fear in disguise. Anger is often fear in disguise. Isolating yourself is fear in disguise. Anxiety and worry are fear in disguise.” (p. 118) She also reminds us, however, that “we can’t always change the valley we’re in, but we can always change our attitudes, actions, and choices in that valley. When we walk through our valleys with our Shepherd, He uses the valleys to change us, to grow us, and to take us to a new and better place. God can use our temporary valleys to create everlasting good for and in us.” (p.116)

As we walk through valleys, our hearts soften to God’s transformative work when we claim His truth. Rothschild explains, “fear focuses on the shadows. Faith focuses on the Shepherd.” (p. 120) To put that idea into practice, I took a variety of verses about fear and personalized them:

God is with me wherever I go. When I am afraid, I will trust in him. I will remember He has called me by name and I am His. He did not give me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. He will strengthen me and uphold me with His righteous right hand. He will answer me when I seek Him and deliver me from all my fears. I will let God’s perfect love drive out my fear. (Compiled from Joshua 1:9, Psalm 56:3-4, Isaiah 43:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:4, 1 John 4:18)

Here’s the truth: “God gets personal when the valley gets dark.” (p. 124) As COVID-19 disrupts our normal routines and forces us to confront our fears, we have an opportunity to depend on God like never before. Being confined to home means many of our normal distractions have been removed. With our newfound free time, we may choose to numb ourselves by anesthetizing in front of screens, busying ourselves with household projects, or indulging in our favorite comfort foods. But we also have an amazing opportunity to draw near to the Lord without being in a rush. The pause button has been pushed on the whole world simultaneously. This means we have more opportunities to read, study, think, and pray. “Stillness increases our awareness of His presence…Ask the Lord to help you be still, to listen, and to quiet your heart.” (p. 126) Maybe it’s time to dust off that Bible study book you never finished or to start writing prayers in the journal that’s been sitting on your desk untouched. Go outside and admire the first blooms of spring or listen to music that draws your heart to Jesus. Perhaps God will reveal Himself as your awareness of Him grows in this season of stillness.

If you’re like me, you’re trying to make the most of this time and feeling impatient that there isn’t more you can do.  You’re ready for God to speak but haven’t sensed Him saying anything specific. Feeling restless, you’re craving productivity and purpose. Maybe you’re trying hard to force meaningful family time or searching tirelessly for moments of revelation and insight. Remember, “God is with you in your valley…don’t press to find the grand lesson or insight if one is not clear. Just rest in your Shepherd. Let Him carry you through. Receive His comfort and care.” (p. 126) Stop trying so hard and just be with Him. (I need to look in a mirror as I say that).

Remember that the Shepherd is with you in this challenging season. Don’t let fear consume you. Find your rest and refuge in Him. Take one day at a time rather than projecting into the future. Trust Him and let Him comfort and lead you. Help others to find hope and comfort by encouraging them to draw near to the Shepherd too. 

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)

The song “Fear No More” by Building 429 seems especially relevant in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Listen now and make it your proclamation against fear.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018, Week 4.

Julia Prodis Sulek, “The loneliness of death in the time of coronavirus”, East Bay Times, March 20, 2020, page 1.

A Good Guide

Speeding through the roundabout, traffic laws seemed to be mere suggestions to the tiny cars zipping by us. As pedestrians newly arrived in Rome, we approached intersections with apprehension, not entirely confident that cars would stop when we crossed. Nearing our destination, I walked in silence, my anxiety mounting with each step. Somehow, the bike tour I’d booked for our family didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore.

Moments later we met our guide, Marco, a native Roman who loved his city and relished showing it off to tourists. As we climbed onto our bikes, he assured us that he knew all the safest routes to navigate us through the historic neighborhoods. Soon we were rolling over ancient streets that felt more like quaint alleys. And anytime we did cross a busy road, Marco got off his bike and held up an authoritative hand to stop traffic for us. Within minutes, we began to relax and enjoy the sites. Guided by Marco, we tasted Rome’s best gelato, got insider scoop on good places to eat, and heard fascinating stories about numerous landmarks. The tour far exceeded our expectations and ended up being one of the highlights of our time in the Eternal City. Never once had we felt unsafe under Marco’s watchful guidance. At the end, he invited us to give him a good review online so others could experience what we had. Marco had been an excellent guide not just for our good, but for the sake of his business. It was a win-win for us and for him.

I thought of that afternoon ride in Rome as I studied another verse from Psalm 23: “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3, NASB) Even better than our attentive bike tour guide, the Lord is the ultimate guide for our lives.  Jennifer Rothschild explains, “What God does, He does for His name’s sake. His actions are for His praise. The beautiful benefit, though, is that what brings Him glory brings us good.” (p. 104)

Maybe you’re wondering how to access the Lord’s guidance in your life. Not surprisingly, the answers can be found in Scripture.  It all starts with our attitudes. God guides those who want to follow His lead, not those who tell Him how they want things done: “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.” (Psalm 25:9-10, NIV) Letting our Shepherd lead us requires the humility to acknowledge that His ways are best. This is reiterated throughout Scripture, as we see here: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7, NIV) Trusting the Lord’s wisdom shows humility and leads to right living.

Another way to follow God as our guide is to study the Bible and apply what we learn. Jennifer Rothschild puts it simply, “Stay in his Word, and you will stay in His will.” (p. 100) The Old Testament advice of Joshua still applies today, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8a, NIV) Knowing Scripture helps us to align with God’s ways and equips us to follow Him. As we do this, we can say with confidence, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

In conjunction with His Word, God uses the Holy Spirit to guide us. Jesus explained this in one of His last teachings to the disciples before being crucified, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-14, NIV)

Anyone who accepts Jesus as Savior receives the Holy Spirit as a constant guide: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1;13-14, NIV) 

While the Spirit is there to guide us, we must be willing to listen to His prompting. This happens more consistently when we incorporate regular time to be still before the Lord, to pray, and to seek Him. When we fill our days until they’re overflowing and rush through life asking God to bless what we’re doing, this doesn’t lend itself to sensing the quiet and gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Personally, I recognize the Spirit’s prompting when I’m focused on Him and free of distractions. Often, it’s in the morning during my quiet time when I read something in Scripture that speaks to me in a specific way. The Spirit also gets my attention during worship services at church, when I’m outside enjoying His creation, and when I’m listening to music that honors Him. The more I place myself in a mindset to hear from the Lord, the more sensitive I become to His voice and prompting. 

As I write this, Marco’s fabulous bike tours in historic Rome are suspended indefinitely. We are in an unprecedented season as COVID-19 continues to spread and life as usual has come to a halt. The Wall Street Journal sums it up: “In a matter of days, the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped American society, unmooring people from the routines and activities that typically provide comfort in moments of crisis: work, worship, concerts, sports, gatherings with family and friends, the embrace of loved ones.” But in this chaotic time, let’s not forget God’s sovereignty. None of this is a surprise to Him. As we encounter life disrupted, let’s be expectant that the Lord is using this season for our good and His glory. As distractions are eliminated, we have the opportunity to hear God more clearly. Will you join me in praying for His guidance? Let’s ask how He wants believers to respond to this worldwide disruption. Perhaps He’s drawing us into a closer relationship with Him and guiding us to share His love, hope, and comfort with others during this unusual time.

Listen to Rend Collective’s “Your Name is Power” with the coronavirus pandemic in mind. Let it give you hope, encouragement, and inspiration. Then share that hope with someone else who needs it.

Photo credit: Fat Tire Tours, Rome

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018, Week 3.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Valerie Bauerlein, “How Coronavirus Remade American Life in One Weekend”, The Wall Street Journal online, March 15, 2020.

Help Me with My Unbelief

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2, NIV)

Using the image of a shepherd lovingly tending his sheep, David paints a serene picture of God’s constant presence with us. Author Jennifer Rothschild likens this to riding a tandem bicycle with Jesus and asks, “Where are you sitting?” She describes several scenarios: 1) Riding in front and pedaling hard on your own strength 2) Riding in back “shouting directions to your Shepherd and calling it prayer” 3) Contentedly sitting in back, “safe with your Shepherd, knowing He is in total control.” (p. 52)

Rothschild points out that often we can’t rest peacefully beside quiet waters because we struggle with unbelief resulting from not fully trusting God. Perhaps you relate to that like I do. If so, you’ll find comfort in the story of Jesus and a father who wrestled with unbelief. He came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied: “’If you can’?…Everything is possible for one who believes.’  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”  (Mark 9:22-24, NIV)

I love the man’s honesty. Admitting his struggle with unbelief was the first step to receiving the help he needed from Jesus. And ultimately, the Lord did heal his son. Maybe we could learn from his example and approach God with complete honesty. If we revealed the pockets of unbelief in our lives that hindered us from trusting Him, perhaps we’d give the Lord new opportunities to reveal His power.

Jennifer Rothschild’s example reminded me of a favorite poem that I discovered at a pivotal time in my faith journey. It’s about riding a tandem bike with Jesus and learning to trust Him. As you read, consider who’s riding in the front seat in your life. How are you doing with admitting your unbelief to Jesus? How could you benefit from relinquishing control to Him?

The Road of Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Author Unknown

Although I asked Christ to be my Savior as a child, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I surrendered to Him as Lord. That’s when I allowed Him to take the front seat on our tandem bike and my adventure with Him truly began. Switching seats was both frightening and exhilarating. Even now, making Him Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How about you? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your life? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live. Listen to “Way Maker” by Michael W. Smith and let it fill any pockets of unbelief in your life with powerful reminders of God’s character.

 Poem quoted from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1987, p. 51-53.

Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press 2018, p.52.

After God’s Heart

David wrote almost half of the 150 Psalms recorded in the Bible. Through them, we see a window into his heart and mind. We identify with his humanity as he shares authentically about his triumphs and struggles. It’s difficult to choose a favorite from among the many he’s written, but Psalm 23 might be the most well-known. Chances are high you’ve heard it in a funeral service at some point.

In the opening chapter of Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Bible teacher Jennifer Rotschild gives us some background on King David and his famous psalm. She explains that Psalm 23 may have been written near the end of his reign while he was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was attempting to overthrow him. Rothschild mentions that Scripture refers to David as “a man after [God’s] own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

Like most people, I assumed this meant that David had an especially deep connection to God—that he relentlessly pursued His heart. And yet, if you know David’s life story, it’s clear he didn’t always do what pleased or honored the Lord. 

Author and pastor René Schlaepfer helped shed some light on this for me. In his book Chasing David, he explains “That David is a ‘man after God’s heart’ means David is God’s choice, a man God’s heart has gone after.” He quotes Hebrew Bible scholar Sandra Richter who says: “Although most interpret this phrase to mean that David had a particularly deep affection for Yahweh or that David had bent his will after Yahweh’s, in reality, this text reflects..David is ‘a king of God’s choosing.’” (“Yahweh” is the Hebrew name for God.) Schlaepfer concludes, “It’s not just a verse about David’s heart; it’s a verse about God’s heart. His heart went after David.” (p. 35)

Despite being a mighty king, David recognizes his dependence on the Lord and celebrates His lavish provision, which he describes in Psalm 23. With humility, he highlights the Lord’s care and protection over him:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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, NIV)

In this Psalm, David places himself in the inferior position as a sheep under the care of the Lord, his shepherd.  He opens by talking about God, but later shifts and speaks directly to Him, praising Him for His love, faithfulness, and goodness.

 In the New Testament, Jesus also uses the example of a shepherd, but he puts Himself in the place of God, referring to His followers as the sheep in His tender care: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15, NIV) Like God with David, Jesus shows throughout the New Testament that His heart is for us—that He has gone after us in the same way the Lord went after David. 

One of the many places Jesus demonstrates His pursuit of us is in this parable: “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NIV)

Do you see the parallels here? Jesus, the shepherd, pursues us just as God sought after David. Maybe it sounds a bit presumptuous, but I think this shows that any follower of Jesus is a person after God’s own heart, just as David was. The fingerprints of His grace are all over this. Jesus’ death on the cross reveals that we are all “people of God’s choosing.” The only thing we have to do is respond to the love He so freely offers.

Listen to Corey Asbury’s “Reckless Love” and reflect on God as the Good Shepherd whose overwhelming, never ending, reckless love pursues you relentlessly.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2019.

René Schlaepfer, Chasing God: Finding Hope & Courage on the Trail of Israel’s Greatest King, Twin Lakes Press, 2019.

Sandra L. Richter, The Epic of Eden (Downer’s Gover: IVP Academic, 2008), 201.

Shepherd image by Free-Photos from Pixabay.com