Marveled

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel…And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Matthew 8:10; Mark 6:6, NKJV 

Jesus marvels at us! He is either marveling at our great faith, as in the case of the Roman soldier's faith, or He marvels at our unbelief, similar to His hometown community who only saw their local resident as a good man but surely not the Son of God. And what does marvel mean? To marvel is to draw attention, to cause someone to pause, usually with awe, but it can be one astonished or surprised by unexpected behavior. Interestingly, there is a connection to how we marvel at the Lord’s work around us as evidence of either a great faith, a fragile faith, or no faith at all. With eyes of faith, we can see clearly His healing, His forgiveness, His creation, and His love. Are your life, love, and faith a marvel to God, or does your anemic unbelief astonish Him?

Surprisingly, Jesus complimented a military man who represented tyrannical foreign occupation as a person with great faith. His great faith was evident when with humility, he described himself as a man under authority. With love and compassion for his paralyzed servant, he showed great faith when he asked Jesus to heal him. Amazed by what He heard, the Lord made whole the lame servant…virtually healed, without Jesus being present in person. On another occasion, in the presence of those He grew up with…Jesus marveled at how they did not take Him seriously. Their lack of faith could not get past the reality that Jesus was a big deal…the Lamb of God come to take away their sins. Amazed by their unbelief, Jesus made His way among the villages teaching salvation in Him. Yes, unexpectantly, great faith by a generous Gentile (the Centurion oversaw the local synagogue construction) …Jesus marveled. Equally stunning was the unbelief of His Jewish friends…Jesus marveled. Faith can fizzle in familiarity or be aflame in daring to trust God.

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24, NKJV).

If your unbelief has caused Christ to marvel at your lack of faith, you can turn to Him for help. There is a potent prayer to help believers who are in need of bold belief, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” Confessing a faith that has become fragile, even forgotten, and asking for a restoration of belief is a prayer God gladly answers. Like David cried out, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation!” With a humble heart, petition heaven for a heart on fire for faith in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will ignite you with divine reinforcements of love. Trauma can easily mute what were vibrant prayers pulsating with hopeful expectations. If pain has squeezed dry your faith, pray for your heavenly Father to help your unbelief. Submit to the healing truth of Scripture. 

Or, if your bold belief has caused Christ to marvel, you can keep thanking Him for His faithful love in your life. And you can reciprocate…marvel at the Lord’s generous work in your life. “This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). Celebrate successes as the Lord’s doing; give Him the credit for your accomplishments. Be still; Jesus sits with you in sweet fellowship to bring healing to you and those you love. Whatever your season of life, like the Centurion, humble yourself as you are under God’s authority and earthly authority. Marvel. Never get over that once you were lost, but now you are found. “How marvelous!”, He says.

“The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes” (John 9:30, NKJV)!

God desires to use you

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 

A little story time today. I once met a woman named Rosemary who was angry and disappointed over a friend’s success. “She is receiving promotion after promotion. She is doing in her ministry career what I want to do in mine. I have prayed. I have asked God to help me use my gifts and talents serving Him the same way she is serving Him, but nothing has happened. Any time I try anything, I get shut down. I feel like God has forgotten me and I don’t have any value in the body of Christ.” 

As I spoke with Rosemary, I realized she was missing three important truths: 

First, God doesn’t grant anyone favor simply based on our performance (or prayers). And, if we think he should, we may struggle with deep anger and disappointment. Instead, He will give us what is best for us. And that may mean He doesn’t give us what He gives someone else. 

In his book, The Prodigal God, Timothy Keller writes: 

If you think goodness and decency is the way to merit a good life from God, you will be eaten up with anger, since life never goes the way we wish. You will always feel you are owed more than you are getting. You will always see someone doing better in some aspect of life and ask, ‘Why this person and not me? After all I’ve done!’ This resentment is your own fault. It is caused not by the prosperity of the other person, but by your own effort to control life through your performance.

Next, God gives His children different assignments. 

The kingdom of God is like a farmer’s field and each of us has been given a patch to work and to tend. One person has been given a large patch; another has been allotted a smaller assignment. One person works in a noticeable part of God’s field, another in a less visible part. One person works here; another works there. But all assignments are important. 

Rosemary failed to see that God’s grace—or His unmerited favor—empowers us to do what He has assigned us to do. But where grace is absent, you won’t be able to move that mountain. That means that while others around you may be gifted to serve in one way, you will be gifted to serve in another. 

If you have ever felt you have gotten short changed, don’t waste your precious time envying someone else’s accomplishments. Know that the Lord has a plan for you to serve Him in a unique way. 

Finally, if God closes the door, He still wants to use you. 

As Keller mentioned, life never entirely goes the way we wish. When it doesn’t, and when God closes doors, it means He has plans to use us in other ways. No one is ineffective.  We all have value. We all have a patch of field in God’s Kingdom to work and as we submit to His plans, He will show us the way to serve Him best. 

If you can relate to this message, will you serve the way God desires and submit to His plan? Will you let go of the notion that He must love others more who are doing what you want to do? Will you trust that you are deeply loved, valuable and priceless to Him? 

“For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back” (Isaiah 14:27) 

Becoming a believer

 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17

How do we become a Christian? Belief in the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ for our sins. The cross of Jesus justified our forgiveness and the resurrection of Jesus validated our forgiveness. The God ordained miracle of bringing Jesus back to life after three days in the grave is the foundation of our faith. The risen Lord is evidence of His life fully alive in His followers. A person who claims to be a Christian but denies Christ rose from the grave is still lost in his sins. He only deceives himself. Faith in Jesus is based on His miraculous resurrection.

Paul gives a compelling argument to the necessity of believing in the resurrection as foundational for our faith. Preaching without the forgiveness of the cross and the power of the resurrection is a farce, fake and hellish in its outcome. Faith without the resurrection is faithless led astray by the most recent spiritual fad. If Christ is not risen from the dead we are false witnesses to what really happened and face no resurrection, no hope after we die. When we embrace the historical fact of Christ's resurrection we are forgiven, alive and envied by evil doers.

"God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:24-25).

Have you settled in your heart and mind the reality of the Lord Jesus' resurrection? If not ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your soul the sweet love of Christ who is alive and ever interceding to His Father in heaven on your behalf. Don't be dismayed by modern atheists who attack your faith by belittling your beliefs. There will always be those who seek to justify their conduct and convince their conscience that Christ was not who He claimed to be. The lost love company. Pray for those who dismiss Christianity to be drawn to Jesus. You know better, you know Him.

Prayer time with the risen Lord is an eternal investment. He reminds you what's most important in this life and in the life to come. The more you are vulnerable with Jesus the more you will get to know Jesus and the more your trust in Him will grow. The more your trust in Him grows, the more faithfully and passionately you will follow Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is your solid rock of faith: unmovable, alive, miraculous, comforting and necessary to be a Christian.  

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Deception

The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed. In the dark, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light.     Job 24:15-16

Everyone has a dark side that flirts with your feelings and tries to lead you astray. It is ironic that your dark side engenders fear and, at the same time, a false and hollow hope. However, there is nothing about your dark side that is good. It is always attempting to seduce you into your old way of thinking and doing. It wants to pull a dark cloud over your soul and rain down discontentment and confusion. The dark side is filled with demons of discouragement seeking to seduce you into poor and even foolish decision-making. It knows that one devastating decision can mark you for a lifetime. The dark side offers the illusion that adultery is harmless and recreational. It reasons with you that in the cloak of darkness, no one will ever find out. You are led to believe that enough lies can cover up your dark deeds.

 

That, of course, is the sort of fiction you’d find in a romance novel. The light will eventually pierce the darkness and, like a scattering roach, you will be exposed. But there is nowhere you can go where God is not present. He is light; so in darkness, the light of His love exposes you. Why crouch in a dark corner of carnality, when you can be free in the light of Christ? Darkness promises freedom but delivers bondage. The promise of God is grace, which results in faith’s freedom. Christ is light in the darkness, and His word is your flashlight of faith. In Him, darkness recoils.

 

“You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

 

Your dark side will hound you until you get to heaven. So, in the meantime, it is imperative to live in the light. Live in the light of God’s love, for that’s where you are accepted and kept secure; Live in the light of accountability, for that’s where you have boundaries from the edge of darkness; Live in the light of Christian community, for that’s where others can pray for you and with you; Live in the light of God’s Word, for that’s where you gain His wisdom and perspective. Simply live in the light of Christ, and He will repel the relentless rampage of your dark side. Therefore, do not tamper with the temptations of your dark side alone, or you may suffer the scars of sin’s consequences.

 

You can only gain authentic energy and excitement in the light. This far exceeds the artificial tantalizing that comes from submission to the dark side’s temptations. No sin can be hidden from God, no matter how concealed it may seem in the deepest corner of darkness. Wise ones submit to the light rather than to the deceptive dark side. The dark side is full of unpleasant surprises, while the route of the Holy Spirit offers pleasant ones. Walk away from the dangers of the dark side. Nothing there is worth the energy and the horrific hurt that accompanies its mission. Tell someone today your deepest, darkest secrets. Exposure is the enemy of your dark side. Freedom in Christ comes from accountability with other Christ-followers. Walk in the light together, as overcomers with God and people.  Alone, you backslide into your dark side. Therefore, surround yourself with lovers of the light. In the light, you get it right.

 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Healing tongue

 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4, ESV

What comes to mind when you hear the word “gentle”? Perhaps it is someone who was or is in your life, modeling the essence of a kind or wholesome disposition. To be gentle, in our minds, is closely linked to words, deeds, and actions that are soft-spoken and soothing. It is the opposite of aggressive, harsh, or demanding. 

In Proverbs 15, a gentle tongue is compared to “a tree of life.” Gentleness is closely connected to and meant to produce life. We see this even in the footnotes of our translation of this passage, which notes that “gentle” can also be translated “healing.” To be gentle is to bring healing and life to others.

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Proverbs 12:18 

Often we underestimate the impact our words have on others, using them freely without thought or reflection. Yet as Proverbs also reminds us, wisdom invites intentional reflection upon the words we use, never responding rashly from an impassioned heart. It is good and wise to look back upon the words we used, perhaps acknowledging ways we have brought pain or harm to others and seeking reconciliation and forgiveness whenever possible. However, take time to cultivate a habit of intentional reflection and preparation before interactions with others ever take place!

One of the most helpful practices I have adopted in recent years is an intentional reflection upon my daily schedule at the very beginning of each day. Whatever your life may hold, in one way or another, you likely will interact with someone other than yourself: a spouse, children, friends, co-workers, or random strangers at the store. Begin each day by opening your heart to these individuals, and ask yourself the question, “How can I bring healing to these people through the words that I use?”

The more we grow in this practice, the more effective we will be at offering healing to others. Of course, there are generic words of healing that are rooted in kindness and mercy. Yet when we truly know others and share life with them, we are aware of the wounds that they carry, the sorrows of their heart that may not be easily visible, and as such, we are able to share the healing love of God with them through the wise use of our words.

Capacity building

To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.  Matthew 25:15

Capacity is the ability Christ gives us to carry out His commands. And capacity varies from person to person. Some people can get by on five to six hours of sleep while others require seven to eight. Where I get out of balance is when I compare my capacity with someone of greater capacity. Indeed, capacity is meant to provide guardrails, not guilt.

So how can we use capacity to our advantage instead of our disadvantage? How can we understand our limitations and trust the Lord with the results? It starts by being honest about how God has made us. If we can only execute one project with excellence, then we limit ourselves to one. If we only have the time, money, and love for two children, then we accept this as the responsible decision. Honesty about capacity is freeing for parents.

But isn’t there a way to build capacity at work, at home, and in relationships? Yes, indeed! As we remain faithful with small responsibilities, the Lord and others can trust us with additional tasks. When we manage a small amount of money on a budget, we can be trusted with more resources to steward well. When we treat one individual with a full complement of grace and truth, we build relational capacity for more quality friendships.

Furthermore, we are over capacity when cash in our bank account is overdrawn or when we have written a relational check our emotions cannot cash. Therefore, monitor your capacity in prayer before Jesus. Ask Him for courage to say no to something new so we can say yes to current obligations. As in weight lifting, we can increase our mental, emotional, financial, and relational capacity, but it takes time, focus, and discipline.

The Lord has unlimited capacity for empathy, wisdom, and character. So go to Him for your character-capacity building. Make sure your character capacity keeps up with your success, and you will be able to handle success. Does your heart have the same capacity for humility as your mind does for truth? So build capacity around Christ’s gifts to you.

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you” (2 Corinthians 10:12–13).

Out do each other

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10, ESV

We live in a culture of winners and losers. You can win a championship in sports, win on the stock market, and win political races. And all too often, in order to win we must exploit the weakness and shortcomings of others, usually to their shame and disrespect. Increasingly it seems this is a steam train that is only picking up more and more speed. Our public discourse is at an all-time low, with basic human decency thrown out the window, instead replaced with below the belt punches whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Sadly, this same spirit is often seen within the family of faith. In the name of defending our beliefs or even God himself, we frequently lose sight of the dignity and worth of “the other,” reducing them to positions or actions with which we disagree. Of course, we may have good reason and sure foundations for our disagreement, yet frequently our need to win trumps our commitment to humility and honor, even in the face of disagreement.

St. Paul often used competitive language in his letters, urging the early Christians on in the race of faith. And yet, we must not miss the fact that his vision of “the prize” was wildly different than what we so often accept as worthy of our time and devotion. For Paul, “winning” was closely tied to a commitment to elevate and honor others, even at great personal expense. If and when we strive to beat someone else, to “outdo” them in biblical terms, the competition is squarely built upon our unwavering resolve to honor one another.

It is relatively easy to honor people we deem worthy of honor. This may be a beloved public figure or faith leader, or it can be as intimate as a parent, sibling, or spouse. We tie their worthiness of honor to their beliefs, accomplishments, or intimate proximity. Yet, and this is key, how do we honor the humanity of those with whom we profoundly disagree, or those who have wounded and betrayed our confidence and trust? Honor in these cases does not mean we ignore or dismiss the disagreements or betrayals. However, as forgiven and reconciled sinners, we too must view others through this lens, refusing to say that any person is fully defined by their faults, but is instead a human being made in God’s image, and therefore worthy of honor and a belief that even their greatest shortcomings can be healed and transformed by the all-consuming fire of God.

Care for others

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him. Jesus told him, Go and do likewise. Luke 10:36-37

 

Who is our neighbor? Jesus says our neighbors are those we meet who are in need, especially the needy who are outcasts. Religious people may ignore a suffering race indifferently, or label a lifestyle as repulsive, but Jesus sees them with compassion. The individuals Jesus spent most of His time loving are the ones who were marginalized by those who felt spiritually superior. Ironically, the “Good Samaritan” loved someone who may not have done the same for him.

 

Furthermore, when we take time to care for those much different from ourselves, we model the love of Christ. It is easy to love those like us, but more difficult to love those from a diverse culture. We do risk rejection from religious people too busy with programs that care only for their own kind. They reason, “We don’t have the time, money or interest to care for those of a different culture, while our people still have needs.” However, love looks beyond its own and offers care!

 

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32).

 

Racism is a raw nerve that requires intentional investment by those of us with influence. We all have opportunities to accept those who have been rejected and bring healing to those who have been hurt. Yes, those who have been robbed of equal rights need us to make things right through education, legislation and jobs. However, the quiet generosity and engagement of Jesus followers is the most effective in affecting society for good. The sufferings of those trapped in generational cycles of cynicism desperately need our compassion. Christians are called to care for strangers.

 

Who in your life is beat down by their circumstances and needs you to lift them up? Who can you search out that has been robbed of their rights, that you can stand in for as their advocate for justice? Perhaps for a season your generosity will give hope to someone who faces temporary setbacks. It may require you to get your hands dirty in dealing with their issues, because relationships are messy and complicated. Care for strangers can lead them to love Christ, the ultimate caregiver

Time is wasting

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

I love it when God hits me over the head with something I need to learn by presenting the same truth to me several times. This happened when I saw Ephesians 5:15-16 in a number of different places in one day which says: “Be very careful, then, how you live,not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Okay, Lord, I understand that we are to make the most of every opportunity, but what does “the days are evil” mean?  In search of an answer, I found a couple commentaries and came up with the following treasure:

“Because the days are evil, because the times in which you live are evil, there are many allurements and temptations that would lead you away from that the proper improvement of time . . . and that would draw you into sin . . . to go places where time would be wasted.”  (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)

 

As I read this quote, I felt I haven’t been caught up with “allurements and temptations” not of God, but in questions of what I should do: “God, what do you want me to do? Lord, should I speak at this event or that one? Lord, do you want me to start another radio program? I’m not sure. I don’t know what I feel I should do.”

It was as if the Lord was reminding me, “Stop wasting time by emotionally spinning and becoming immobilized and paralyzed with your feelings, if you should do this or that.  Just get busy for me. I will guide you as you move forward and work. You don’t have an unlimited amount of time.”

I immediately thought of someone I once knew who spent years agonizing over how they where supposed to serve God. they sat at home doing nothing while their emotions led them into inactivity. In the meantime, time was wasting.’ Tragically, the days they could have been serving Him were lost.

When we spend our days languishing in indecision, we can spend so much time wondering what we should do for Christ that we do nothing at all. We must remember that eternity is closing in, and that we only have a limited amount of time to make a difference. We must also remember there are a myriad of ways to serve Christ and show His love for others. All we have to do is look around and ask God to show us opportunities in our churches, neighborhoods, and even our own homes. The opportunities to serve and use our gifts and talents are limitless.

Perhaps this speaks to you today. If you don’t know what to do, do something. There are plenty of ways He has clearly shown us to serve Him in His Word while you wait on Him for more direction. What do you say? Let’s get busy for Christ. He will guide us as we work for Him and listen to Him.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16).

Good power

The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power. Nahum 1:3 

Power is associated with a position of influence like a PTA President, a government official, a CEO, or a pastor of a local church. Unfortunately, small-minded, insecure people in places of authority use power as a form of fear and intimidation to seek to control their self-benefiting agenda. A much healthier use of power is for those in positions of authority to serve at the pleasure of the people to which they are accountable. So, a PTA President serves the parents. A mayor serves the constituents. A CEO serves the leadership team. A pastor serves the church. Good power, instead of an ego trip, is handled humbly and wisely for the benefit of those being served.

God, who is great in power…nevertheless, is slow to anger. The Almighty, instead of instantly being enraged, is gracious to love and forgive. Charles Spurgeon majestically depicts divine power, “God’s rod of mercy is ever in his hands outstretched; his sword of justice is in its scabbard, held down by that pierced hand of love which bled for the sins of men. 'The Lord is slow to anger' because he is great in power. He is truly great in power who hath power over himself. When God’s power doth restrain himself, then it is power indeed: the power that binds omnipotence is omnipotence surpassed.” I love Spurgeon’s phrase, “He is truly great in power who hath power over himself.” Truth! Since the Lord, the most powerful, harnesses His great power for those He loves, so we are called to channel our influence for what’s best for everyone. 

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only'” (Matthew 4:8-10).

Satan tried to tempt our Savior Jesus with power when He offered control over the kingdoms of the world… abruptly, Jesus demanded the devil to be gone and called out the evil one to worship and serve God…the only One who has all power. Be on guard against those who are persuasive with words and wealth and who see power as a weapon to gain more instead of a responsibility to give more. Unless you give away power, so others are empowered to serve and grow, you will be controlled by power's addictive forces rather than freeing yourself and others to become the best version of themselves. Good power looks for the good in others, working toward God’s best. 

An allusion to being powerful can overwhelm a life, as it lives in strife, constantly battling anger’s short fuse. In contrast is a life that abides in Christ, not consumed with having to be in control, rather resting in the Lord’s process of serving and giving to others…not feeling the need to control circumstances and people. Love frees you from power and having to be the one in charge. Yes, you may be ultimately responsible at home, work or in your community, but share your authority with others. Be available to collaborate and serve but bless others to take the lead without the need to micromanage. Good power gets healthy results while building healthy relationships. Power can be trusted with those slow to anger and generous with their influence.

Self-elevation

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 3 John 1:9

Few things are more deeply hardwired into our humanity than our love of being loved. 

The root of self-elevation is an inflated view of our thoughts, opinions, and abilities. Simply put, we are convinced that our way is right, and that others would do well to get on board, and the sooner they figure this out, the better. Interestingly, the more time and effort we spend grasping at power and influence, the more energy we must exert to continue to cling to it. And perhaps most damaging of all, when we are in love with our own leadership, we create a lonely and isolated world in which we must live.

By definition, a love of being first categorizes the world into “winners” and “losers.” There can only be one winner, and so anyone else, especially those with natural or Sprit-given leadership abilities are seen, not as potential partners or collaborators in the shared work of the gospel, but as threats that need to be eliminated and put in their proper place.

Sadly, even the early church was not immune from this impulse. In 3 John we are told that Diotrephes, a leader in the early Christian community, “loves to be first,” and saw the Apostle John as a direct and immediate threat to his control over the community. His leadership was driven by fear, and fear kept him from receiving the gift of partnership and shared leadership.

Fear is a universal emotion. We’ve all felt it in one way or another. Perhaps you’ve feared for your safety or the health of someone you love. You’ve likely faced the fear of rejection and having your vulnerabilities exposed and exploited. Yet today, we must focus on a particular fear, one that can impact all of us, regardless of our level of power or authority. 

Be attentive to the fear of losing your importance, however real or perceived it may be. 

In my local church, every Sunday we sing a simple hymn: “Only one is holy, and that one is the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.” If you resist the leadership or influence of another, chances are you’ve fallen prey to this trap of needing to be first and in truth, have likely lost sight of the one who is worthy of such elevation. 

Only one is holy…which means every single one of us thus leads as submitted servants under his guiding hand. Let us, therefore, flee the trap of comparison and look to our brothers and sisters, not as threats to our ego or influence, but as fellow servants to the King.

What do you run after?

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them. Isaiah 1:23

Though remote work has reshaped much of the modern workday, if you were to walk the streets of New York or Chicago you would still find countless people moving at breakneck speeds, eagerly seeking to get ahead and make a name for themselves. Rest is for the weak and weary, and so they down another cup of coffee and press on in search of the prize. Lose focus for even a minute, we’re told, and someone will take your spot and leave you in the dust!

While many if not most of us may not work a high-pressure job in the heart of a big city, the expectation and pressure to give yourself fully to the pursuit of material gain can be found anywhere and everywhere, for it is a basic human impulse. Even in Isaiah’s day, we find this truth at work! “Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts” (Isaiah 1:23). 

At one level, giving yourself to a successful career is good and right. We should work faithfully and as our work bears fruit offer it back to the Lord in thanksgiving. Yet today, Isaiah reminds us of an essential truth of life that transcends time and place: you cannot run in two directions at the same time. 

If you “run after gifts” with all your might, you will never have the strength or capacity to run after virtue and an unwavering love of neighbor. The things we pursue reveal the desires of our hearts. If we most deeply long to be respected, wealthy, and powerful, we will chart our course to this destination and seek it with all our might. Yet, if we have hearts that have been transformed by the mercy and compassion of God, we will be unable to turn a blind eye to the sorrow and suffering of our neighbor and will prayerfully seek ways to bring God’s justice to a weak and weary world. 

Those who are in need are looking for people of peace, places of safety to whom they can turn in times of distress. If your life is consumed by love of money or finding meaning in work alone, the “widow’s cause” will never come to you. Yet, if you open your life with compassion toward others, those who are in need of your care will sense it and see in you the love of Christ that they long to know and encounter.

The sin of not being serious enough

 In a similar way urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously]. Titus 2:6

 

Faith is a serious matter. What we believe and how we behave can be the difference between heaven and hell, life or death. An abundant life or one of misery and hopelessness are competing outcomes, based on our sober mindedness about eternal matters. Life sets us up for suffering so it’s imperative that we prepare our hearts and minds to persevere through difficulties and love one another. Faith in Christ and the character of Christ is wisdom to overcome deception, lies and arrogance.

 

Paul urges his protege Titus to call out young men to a higher standard of living that takes life seriously. The reality of being a responsible human being who is self-controlled and behaves wisely refrains from overindulging now, and instead learns to wait and prepare his character to handle the Lord’s favor. To behave wisely is to accept that life’s challenges have been around for millennia, and that wise behavior comes from God and learning from those who have faithfully followed Jesus over their lifetime. Taking life seriously means being a lifelong learner of God.

 

Sadly, some older males need to grow up and become men, the kind of men younger men can follow and learn from. Trade in your t-shirt for a starched shirt and stop acting like a kid. Some women need to quit obsessing over their outward appearance and spend as much energy and attention in cultivating a kind, generous heart that finds ways to serve others. Taking God seriously means taking seriously what matters to Him: lost souls, poverty, injustice, unforgiveness, fear and unbelief. Seriousness over our sins that sent Christ to the cross calls us to repentance!

 

Self-control at work may call you to resist manipulating for a promotion now in exchange for supporting the team and growing long-term respect. Self-control at home may mean giving up a hobby or career in exchange for a season of unselfish service. What does it mean to take life seriously by behaving wisely? Instead of spending more than you make, wisdom instructs you to pay your taxes, save, give and spend what remains. Wise living leads to fulfilled living! Take the Lord more seriously and you will enjoy the freedom of grace and the joy of willful obedience.

I don't feel heard

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. Job 32:20

Two-way communication is critical for the health of organizations and relationships. If I am so busy that I do not take time to talk through expectations, then I set up all parties for frustration. For example, I may expect a project to be due at a certain date, but if I do not monitor the progress along the way then the deadline may come and go unaccomplished. If, however, a system is in place for ongoing feedback, then everyone is clear on where we are and where we need to go. Two-way communication brings clarity.

What about our most important relationships? Do we take the time to interact so there is authentic understanding of each other’s needs? If we are not careful, we can take for granted the very ones we care for the most and, in a moment of misunderstanding, become angry in our disappointment. Two-way communication takes time to talk.

Communication that goes both ways requires knowledge and comprehension. If you speak out of emotion before you gain insight into the situation, then you only prolong a productive exchange. Suffering in adversity, Job struggled with this. “Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight” (Job 34:35). Two-way communication is a product of two people listening, understanding, and taking responsibility for the next steps.

Perhaps a weekly progress report on a present project at work is necessary to keep all team members accountable and up-to-date. At home you could incorporate a daily walk together just to catch up and hear each other’s hearts. Quality communication flows from quantity time to hear and to be heard. Slow down and make sure you speak up.

Most importantly, communication with Christ is our greatest opportunity to gain insight and understanding into His heart. If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy. The Bible is His love letter to us. As we read Scripture, do we fill in our name as we read its admonishments? Two-way communication with Him means we desire to learn, grow, and exercise the faith that comes from communication with Him..

Spirit influenced

Spirit Influenced    Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:17–18   Who is my number-one influencer? Is it my wife? Is it a friend? Is it my mom, brother, or mentor? All of these are important and influential, but I desire the number-one influencer in my life to be Holy Spirit. He is the one whose instruction and guidance is always full of integrity and righteousness. When I am Spirit led, I can be confident of an outcome that mirrors God’s will.   It is easy to be influenced by a culture whose standards are below what is best. For example, the world may whine and say it is old-fashioned to have boundaries with the opposite sex. But, as believers in Jesus, we know it is wise to keep emotional distance from someone who is not our spouse. Spirit-led living does not linger long around unwise activities.   Who is your number-one influencer? Perhaps it is a coach, colleague, or counselor who gives you good advice. All of these have their place, but never allow an individual to replace Holy Spirit as your most-important influencer. Sometimes a friend will suggest one thing and God’s Spirit another. Go with God. His promptings are meant to triumph any attractive offer that may tease your emotions. Trust the Spirit’s leading.   “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5).   It may be hard for you to follow the influence of our heavenly Father because our earthly father may have abandoned his responsibilities. However, the Spirit of your Father in heaven is trustworthy and true. He never leaves you or forsakes you. His Holy Spirit is sensitive to exactly what you need, when you need it. He is reliable.   So, once you have confessed and repented of your sin, ask Him for the fullness of His Spirit to flood your soul. The Spirit of God flushes out the foolishness of the flesh and fills it with wisdom from the Lord. The Holy Spirit brings wholeness to your heart and truth to your head. Be intoxicated by the Spirit’s influence, and you will walk wisely.