In Times of Drought

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)

Other than the presidential race, the most enduring news from the summer is the drought impacting much of the nation.  High temperature records are being broken nearly every day.  Rain is scarce and when it comes, it’s usually accompanied by damaging winds and lightning.  Corn and soybean crops are withering away, which will soon affect prices at the grocery store.  Rationing on the use of water is likely just around the corner.

All of this got me to thinking about a drought of a different kind – a drought of faith.  When folks don’t have Christ in their lives – or if He has been pushed aside by the demands and sufferings that come with living in the world – then a drought ensues.  Just like with the physical drought our nation is experiencing now, it is possible to function in the midst of a faith drought.  One can continue to work and engage in daily activities, but there’s something missing and although it’s hard to pinpoint, it’s tangible – a spark, a sense of purpose, a feeling of direction, of genuineness, of acceptance, or of love.  The absence of these things does not prevent one from getting through the day, but the weight of that absence makes it more difficult and far less joyful.  The longer the drought, the more difficult it becomes.

If you recall, 2011 was an especially wet year for this part of the country – the annual rainfall total was well above normal.  We were thankful for the water we needed and we did our best to deal with the excess and the gloomy skies.  This year, we are baked and arid, the mere sight of a cloudy sky filling us with hope.  Generations of humanity have dealt with the cyclical changes of Creation.  But whether it’s a time of feast or famine, in nature or in our souls, there is a well-spring of Life at the ready.  He is always waiting to fill us up when we are empty, and He gives us the desire to water the souls of those around us when our cups run over.  All we need is to trust the endurance of the source.

No matter what season we may be in, if we trust in Jesus with all that we have, rivers of living water will flow from within us, nourishing ourselves and those around us – at exactly the right time, in exactly the right amount.  It will flow from within us because that is where the Spirit of the Living God resides – and only good can flow from God’s dwelling place.

A Marvelous Collision

Lord, my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.  (Psalm 30:2)

If you listen to Christian rock on the radio, you've likely heard by now the newest installment from the band MercyMe, entitled "The Hurt and the Healer."  I don't know about you, but music speaks to me in a way that words on a page simply cannot.  The Bible speaks of the healing power of faith in Christ, timeless words that clearly convey God's love for us.  But when someone puts that truth into song, it saturates the heart in miraculous ways.  MeryMe's song is one of those heart-saturating truth-tellers for me.  Sometimes I sing it with passion behind the wheel of my car, while other times I just listen, the lump in my throat forbidding me to utter a sound.  But always, I feel compelled to add a resounding "Amen."

I love to write, although evidenced by my sparse posting on this blog of late, sometimes I can't seem to grasp what I want to say.  Blogger's block, I suppose?  I recently entered a short story in a writing contest, my first-ever attempt at fiction.  I have no illusions of winning anything, but the submission process got me to thinking.  A little-known fact about me is that I am actually published.  There is a story tucked away in the latter half of a book published a few years ago, a story written from the depths of me - so personal, in fact, that I opted to use a pen name.  I received no compensation for it and only a handful of people in the world know that I authored it.  The story is my testimony, and had MeryMe's song been around at the time, I might have stolen their title.  Among a handful of writing I have submitted for publication over the years, only this was chosen for publication.  I pray this means that my testimony is touching a life or two out there.  I will never know in this life, but the privilege of worshipping God on paper is in itself a reward beyond compare.

Simply put, there is nothing more miraculous, more significant to me, than the marvelous result from the collision between a person's hurt and his/her healer.  It took me much too long to realize who that healer is - not a friend, not someone who pretends to be a friend, not a psychologist, nor a bottle filled with booze or pills.  Now that I know Jesus is the healer of all our hurts - no matter how big or small - I can't help but to share the cure with others.  The One who took upon His flesh the sins of the world knows a thing or two about hurt.  The One who rose from the dead, tearing the veil separating us from God, also knows a thing or two about healing.  Thank you, Lord, for loving us...for loving me...that much.

Haven't heard "The Hurt and the Healer"?  Take a listen:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeNSlQWdgec&feature=related

Blessings to all,
Becky

Judging the Kiwi

Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b

At the first night of VBS this week, the kids learned the above verse that echoes (or perhaps gave birth to) the popular phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”  This is one of those life lessons that we hear so many times through the years that it almost becomes lost in translation.  We know that a person’s true worth is found within, and yet we still have a hard time looking past the exterior.  This is certainly true in our evaluations of others, but it’s also true in terms of how we view ourselves.  If we don’t look a certain way – whether by the shape of our bodies or the clothes we throw on them – then we tend to feel “lesser” than others.  By contrast, when we happen to be sporting the latest style, we feel pretty good about ourselves.  The problem of course is that no amount of style can enhance or mask what lives inside us, where cellulite and fashion have no place.

Supposedly, human beings are hard-wired to be attracted to features in others that would be considered “genetically strong,” such as symmetry.  The theory behind this is that we are drawn to folks that have the best possible chance of promoting the strongest/healthiest human traits going forward.  I don’t know about that, but what I do know is that God created us to love others as a direct reflection of His love.  The last time I checked, such love has zero physical stipulations attached to it; rather, it requires a heart for service and a soul filled with the loving power of the Holy Spirit.  Whether the scientists are accurate or not doesn’t really matter in terms of the fate of humanity.  Instead of searching for the physical traits that promote strong genetics, we should instead seek out, lift up and “procreate” the predisposition for love that we all possess.

Each of us has a story to tell that would perfectly illustrate the importance of looking at the heart.  Each of us has encountered someone with less-than-desirable physical traits who is a genuinely loving, compassionate person.  More commonly than that, perhaps, are stories we could tell of attractive, well-groomed folks whose words and deeds reflected a rotting interior.  The trick is in being able to evaluate others the way God does, which we could perhaps best do blindfolded.

Whenever I think of this particular lesson, I think of the kiwi, that delightfully delicious tropical fruit with the vibrant green interior.  In terms of its flavor, it is one of my most favorite fruits.  But let’s be honest – it is as ugly a thing to behold as you can find.  If we judged the kiwi strictly by its outward appearance, no one would ever touch it.  Actually, I’m amazed that at some point in human history, some curious and perhaps famished soul decided to throw caution to the wind, crack one open and give it a taste.  Whoever this person was, he or she was operating entirely on the faith that something better was within. 

Maybe we’ll never be able to completely shirk off the tendency to be attracted to outward beauty, but let’s not forget that when we bypass someone who doesn’t fit our criteria for beauty, we might just be missing out on a kiwi.

Graduating With His Honor

Whether graduating from high school, college, graduate school or a training program, there is something uniquely special about transitioning from a structured, formalized educational program to an environment in which that education is expected to translate into success. It is a time to reflect upon and celebrate all the hard work, fun, and personal sacrifice that went into achieving this milestone. It’s a time to sincerely thank the parents, teachers, mentors and friends that sacrificed, supported, pushed and prodded to ensure success and happiness. It’s also a time to plan for a future that will be fulfilling, meaningful and honorable.

There are many unique and useful skills one learns through schooling, knowledge that applies directly to professional aptitude in specific disciplines. Even if one obtains the highest degree possible in a given field, there is always more that can be learned. In an increasingly competitive job market, education is more valuable than ever. Ultimate success, however, cannot be defined or quantified by a diploma in a frame or letters after one’s name. True success begins and ends with the source of our knowledge, our drive to learn, and our talents: our Father in heaven.

The working adults and retirees among us will likely all attest to the fact that one’s character and work ethic are far more important in our work than our educational attainment. I would venture to say that the majority of textbook learning is fairly useless, in and of itself. The dedication to learning the material in that textbook, to seeing it through no matter how interesting or objectionable it may be, is an indication of strength, maturity, and nobility. Such dedication can and should translate to any job that we do, whether it’s flipping burgers or running a major corporation. Such dedication is what earns us promotions, raises and – most importantly – the approval of our Creator.

Whether we are a day past graduation or decades past it, our learning never ends, nor does our obligation to work hard, treat others well, and conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity. Even if all we graduated from was the "school of hard knocks," we all have the same marching orders. They’ve come directly from the only teacher we’ll ever need, our Lord Jesus. When the textbooks are long forgotten, collecting dust on a basement shelf, the lessons from our Teacher apply eternally. If we forget them or are tempted to stray from them, His lesson plan is always at our fingertips, His Word applicable to any job, any profession, and any circumstance we may face.

This graduation season, let us all celebrate the milestones and success that our friends and family members have achieved. Let us also remember that the fruits of that hard work are born from dedication to following Jesus Christ in all that we do. Ultimate success is realized in striving daily to be His living light in our little corner of the world.

Letter to His Mother

Dear Mary,

On Mother’s Day, who better to write about than the earthly mother of our Lord and Savior? There is no woman I could admire more; for, though my own mother birthed me into this world, it is your son who gave me life. My mother raised me and nurtured me, directly impacting the woman I have become. But it is your son who has given me a purpose for living and a direction for my life.

From the very beginning, you possessed a depth of faith I have sought most of my life. Carrying the savior of the world in your womb, you did not question the truth or validity of your purpose. Although you likely felt the weight of the responsibility you bore in carrying out God’s plan, you never doubted that God would see you safely through.

I can only imagine what it was like for you to raise Jesus as any mother raises her child. I’ve often wondered if He suffered from the "terrible twos" or if He was as perfect in childhood as He was in adulthood. I’m sure that while you never forgot who He was during His younger years, you likely stepped into the daily routine all parents fall into with their children. I’m sure you grew quite attached to this fine boy, beaming with the pride and joy all mothers share.

When it was time for Jesus to start the ministry He had been called to, I wonder if you felt humble and grateful that your son had made it safely to this point, or did you feel a pang of sadness to know that His ministry would take Him to places far removed from where most mothers would dare to travel? You trusted in God’s promise that Jesus would be the long-sought savior of the people, but I can’t imagine how difficult it was to witness the cruelty and suffering heaped upon Him. Dare I say that not even the promises of the sovereign Lord can completely ease the breaking of a mother’s heart when her child suffers pain and injustice?

You and your son are joyously reunited for all eternity as He sits at the right hand of the Father. I for one am incapable of fully understanding the grace of the risen Christ. The depth of His sacrifice is incomprehensible. But the mother in me can appreciate – if only by a fraction – the depth of your sacrifice. By your faith, my Savior was born into the world to dwell among men and to set us free by grace. By your faith, the path to freedom and eternal life was paved.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mary. I can’t wait to one day meet the mother of the One who gave me life.

Sincerely,
A grateful child of our wonderful Lord

Personality Prayers

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  (James 4:3)

God's Word tells us to pray for our enemies - those who have harmed or destroyed what is sacred to us individually or collectively.  But what about people who just irritate us or rub us the wrong way?  There are far more folks in our everyday lives that fit this description.  They are clearly not "enemies," yet we tend to regard them with similar feelings of aversion.  We know we should pray for them as well, but it seems so hard to do so in a genuine way.  Why is that?

God instilled in each of us a personality all our own.  When these personalities intermingle, it can make for fascinating discussion, spectacular accomplishments, and also some ruffled feathers.  We encounter this dynamic each day at work, at school, in our social activities, and even within our families.  We each have varying levels of tolerance for varying personality quirks.  Sometimes we can make it work, while other times our lack of patience and frayed nerves result in unkind words, hurt feelings or resentment.  Perhaps it's hard to pray for folks who irritate us because we expect more from them than we do from enemies.  A coworker or classmate might bug the daylights out of us, but they aren't out to destroy what is sacred, so why can't they just shape up and get with the program?  Why should we need to pray for them to be the way we want them to be?

The answer, of course, is that we shouldn't.  There's nothing wrong with wanting a rude person to be courteous or an arrogant person to take on an attitude of humility.  But we should not limit our supplications to correcting what we perceive to be wrong with another person.  We should also pray for our own patience and understanding (not to mention a greater understanding of our own personality quirks).  Above all, we should pray for God's strength and guidance in utilizing our greatest asset: our ability to be witnesses for Christ.  By approaching all our relationships - even those that irritate us - with the strength, wisdom and love of Jesus, we will have far more influence on folks than by simply cataloging their faults and praying for them to be corrected.

The next time someone makes you want to scream in frustration, take a breath and take a moment with the Lord.  When we ask for help in being a witness for Christ, God will always answer.  Sometimes, your relationship with the other person will change for the better, but if not, one thing is for certain: your relationship with God will grow stronger.  The stronger that relationship is, the more visible Christ will become to everyone around you.

Faith of a Child

"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  (Luke 18:17)

Between bursts of rain drops and gusts of wind this past week, my husband and I did some work around the house, getting ready for flowers and mulching. Pulling the incessant supply of weeds from the flowerbeds is, believe it or not, an activity I enjoy. It gets me outside in the fresh air doing something at my own pace that takes very little know-how. Mostly, however, I enjoy it because it reminds me of a glimpse of God’s kingdom I once witnessed while weeding my garden.

When my daughter was around two years old, she and I were outside on a sunny summer afternoon. While I pulled weeds, she played happily with her miniature garden set in the dirt nearby. In the midst of humming and digging with her little spade, she abruptly stopped what she was doing, turned around and looked beyond our backyard. She waved once and said, "Hi Great-Grandpa!" The words stunned me, since at the time she had one living great-grandfather in another state whom she had never met. I looked in the general direction of her gaze, expecting to see someone – our elderly neighbor, perhaps – that could cause her to say such a thing. Instead, I saw only grass and trees. I turned back to her and marveled at the wonder and intensity in her gaze – she was utterly absorbed in what she saw. She sat that way for a moment longer and then just as abruptly turned back to humming and digging in the dirt, as if nothing had happened.

Although I tried in my humanness to come up with a "logical" explanation, I already knew. Not only did I believe that my daughter had seen the spirit of one of her great-grandfathers, I instinctively knew that it was the specific spirit of her paternal great-grandfather who had died nearly twenty years before she was even born. I had never met him, but I’ve been told that he was a wonderful, godly man. My instinct was confirmed a week or so later, when my daughter pointed to a picture of my husband’s grandpa in my in-laws’ house and said, "There’s Great-Grandpa."

There is something to be said for the faith of a child, isn’t there? God understands it perfectly well. Whereas I sought a logical, understandable explanation for my daughter’s actions, she simply embraced the encounter with her loved one as normal. She was not surprised, frightened, or otherwise jarred by the experience. It was simply a part of her summer afternoon. There’s no telling the miraculous things we could experience if only we simply accept the sovereign power and presence of our Lord in our midst, rather than explaining Him away by our imperfect logic.

As the earth comes alive this spring, let us remember that the Lord has a handle on the complex. We need only concern ourselves with the simple fact that God is God. He always has been and He always will be. Accepting that simple truth makes the miraculous not only possible, but normal for a child of God.