Walking With Jesus

Your Race of Faith?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

Outside magazine ran an article on the best running tips of all time, based on forty years of articles. Among the suggestions: (1) Strengthen your whole body; don’t just focus on your legs. (2) Run more hills; it’s good for your hips. (3) Find a routine, then stick to it—maybe even down to wearing the same clothing. (4) Take recovery days seriously.

What are the implications for those of us who are running our race of faith? It’s no accident the first Commandment is: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). In summary – love God with every aspect of our being. Why is that so vital?

Have you ever done something “half-heartedly?” How’d that work out for you? How happy do you think your husband or wife would be if on Valentine’s Day you gave them a card that said: “I love you with most of my heart!” Or your boss gives you an assignment and you bring it back with: “Here’s my report, but my heart wasn’t in it.”

Yet, truth be told, many professing Christ followers are not loving and serving with their whole heart, soul, and mind. But why is that? Most have forgotten why they entered the race of faith to begin with. Admittedly, most of us become believers in Jesus, not for what we can do for Him, but for what He has done and can do for us.

Who wouldn’t sign up for forgiveness of all sin, peace, wholeness, and a place in heaven when we die? I’m convinced the only reason more people don’t come to Christ is because all of that seems too good to be true. But here’s the deal – it IS all true – it’s just not the whole picture.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24: “If any one of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.” That’s a primary reason the Lord gave us the Church, to help us know how to give all of us to all of Him.

Joseph M. Stowell wrote: “We run for Him—for Christ’s glory and for the honor of His name. We run for the advancement of His kingdom.” Jesus followers struggle for the same reason many would be “runners” wash out before their first race. Why? They wrongly believe it’s a one person sport. Yes, surely, in the race it’s often you against all the other runners, but that’s not how you train.

Training for being an effective “runner” for Jesus has many similarities to learning to run in a literal race. For serious runners they’ll have trainers; a nutritionist/dietitian; medical staff; a coach, who not only helps them train, but who guides them in their choice of clothing, including shoes specifically for their feet, type of track, etc.

In our initial zeal for Jesus, we think we can pray a prayer of confession and repentance and head to the “track,” not realizing we’re not in a sprint, we’re in a marathon. And it’s not a race we run alone, but with many other Jesus followers who can help us “train.” Which begs the question: Who’s training and running with you? Are you part of a dynamic, growing church where people are being saved, discipled, and guided into small groups who can challenge and help you grow as a child of God?

You won’t survive your race of faith without help from other believers who have been “running” longer than you. Find at least one other person you trust to “run” with you, someone who loves Jesus and you and is willing to pour into you what others have poured into them

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Church Person or Jesus Person?

“For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NLT)

There is a common expression that I’ve heard used in various settings that says: “Fake it ‘til you make it!” In some arenas of life that may be appropriate; however, it’s never acceptable for a child of God. To “fake” a relationship with Jesus is, on some levels, like pretending to be someone’s friend.

Across the years I’ve witnessed firsthand people who have no real feelings for another person, yet they pretend to care because of something they want from them (me). It saddens me to see that, but not nearly so much as when I see it in the church. Even pastors or leaders in the church who go through the proverbial motions of ministry, not because they’re called or even that they love Jesus. To them it’s a “vocation” or “a job.”

Similarly, many who attend and serve in churches do so out of an allegiance or sense of obligation to the pastor or to the church, not necessarily to Jesus. Yet, on the other hand, there are increasing numbers of people, especially since Covid, whose attitude seems to be: “I love Jesus, but I have no use for the church.”

Where are you on this subject? Are you a “church person” or a “Jesus person?” I resonate with Matt Chandler’s words when he said: “If you’re a church person and not a Jesus person, my heart hurts for you. It’s like being engaged and never getting married. It’s miserable.”

Perhaps you’re wrestling with the difference between the two. To me the prime difference is motivation. Why do you attend or not attend church? But I believe it’s broader than that. In my mind the difference rests in the focal point of a person’s affection. Is it the “church,” meaning the people of the local fellowship to which they belong and/or serve, or is it Jesus?

And the logical question then becomes: “Can’t you love and serve both?” And, yes, of course you can, but the original question is still valid. Where does your primary affection lie? Do you love and serve your church fellowship primarily based on your love for and devotion to Jesus, or to the church? Does your heart beat with desire to magnify Jesus and make much of Him in every area and dimension of your life? Or is your focus more on what’s going to make you look good and feel good about yourself?

Part of the answer lies in who you are as a person, in the sense that, where does the “real you” shine? Because I served many years bi-vocationally, working a secular job as well as serving a church, I’m reminded of conversations I’ve had with folks over the years. Their conversation is often flavored with profanity and lewdness until they find out, usually because someone else would tell them, that I was also a pastor.

Then it’s “Oh, pastor, I attend such and such church and I’m a deacon or ________. God bless you, brother, for your service.” Therein lies the difference between the two. Transparency, authenticity, genuineness of character and life.

Who we are is revealed not only in the words we speak, but the life that backs those words. If Jesus is the Lord and motivation behind the person I am, it’s not only going to show itself in the words I speak, but the attitude of my heart – WHY I speak those words, and to what end? Am I seeking in everything I do and say to magnify Jesus or me?

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Does Holiness Mean?

“God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.” (1 Peter 1:2 NLT)

Holiness as described in Scripture may be among the most misunderstood and misused teachings in the Christian Faith. On some levels we dismiss it as unattainable and, equally destructive, we use it to try to “whip believers into spiritual shape.” While some see it as a goal to pursue, others see it as the height of spiritual achievement which they have reached.

1 Peter gives us balance and insight that is much needed in our pursuit of Christlikeness and holiness of heart, mind, soul, and body. Notice in the verse above that we are chosen and made holy by God alone. We were chosen in Christ before the beginning of time and the Holy Spirit made us holy the moment we received forgiveness and new life in Christ.

The word that’s translated “knew” in the verse above can also be translated “foreknowledge” and is the Greek word “prog’ no sis.” Does that word look familiar? That’s why we go to see the doctor, so they can give us an accurate “prognosis” for whatever sickness or symptoms we have. Sin is our sickness, and the only reliable cure for our prognosis is forgiveness and new life in Jesus.

To be holy means to be set apart for sacred use. We have no holiness of our own, only what is given to us by God. Notice in the verse Peter sets out the progression of our holiness: we’re foreknown and chosen by God – the Holy Spirit makes us holy (sets us apart for His use) – then, or as Peter writes, “as a result” we “have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Why is this so vital to understand? Because in our haste to get it right, we too often get it wrong. We want to be holy by our good behavior. We tend to believe we’re made holy by the people we hang with, the books we read or don’t read, the places we go or don’t go, the food we eat or don’t eat, the clothes we wear, even the way we style our hair. But what do all of those things have in common?

They’re all external – outward – but the holiness God designed, and desires is internal – it’s spiritual. Submission to God’s agenda by our obedience is the willing response of a forgiven heart. We don’t obey God to become holy, we obey God because we are holy. Holiness isn’t a lifestyle that results in inward purity, it’s inward purity that demonstrates and illustrates God’s activity in and through us by the “set apart” lifestyle we live.

That’s why the writer of the Hebrew letter said in 12:14: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” “Strive” in this verse can also be translated “pursue.” In much the same way as we strive for or pursue our wife or husband, not to gain their love and affection, but because we want to grow in our love and affection for them. Our goal isn’t to gain something we don’t have, but to grow in something we already enjoy.

Holiness isn’t a lifestyle that results in anyone making much of us, rather, it is God’s working in and through us resulting in us and others making much of Him. He’s the subject of our holiness, not us. That’s why it’s so important that we understand what it means.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Are You Living Within Your Margins?

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

Margins are like guardrails on the highway, they help protect us from disaster. We need to set boundaries beyond which we know we exceed to our peril. We need to know our limits – emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally, socially, relationally, financially, even theologically.

As Jesus followers who take our life in Him seriously, we tend to overload our schedules with good things, often to the detriment of the best. What’s our goal as a child of God? Growth? To what end? Christlikeness? But what does that look like? Really, in practical terms, what does it mean to be “more like Christ?”

Check out the verse above one more time. What do you see? “For we are God’s masterpiece.” Not might be. Not one day will be. We ARE God’s masterpiece. When we yielded our life and allegiance to Jesus, in His eyes we’re a finished work. He saw us as that priceless treasure before we were even born. He not only saw what we COULD be, He saw with His 20/20 perfect insight what we WOULD be.

The plot thickens because He hasn’t yet let us in on the details of how that will happen. So, what’s our part? To “do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Sounds simple enough, right? But it isn’t always, but why not?

In our exuberant desire to follow as closely as we can, to grow as quickly as possible, to please our Savior with everything within us, we sometimes bite off more than we can chew. Many times for a believer our decisions don’t center on the good or the bad, but the good or the best. And when our judgment is tainted, who suffers?

We suffer, certainly, but who else? Usually those we love the most. Janel Breitenstein, quoting her husband, wrote: “Sometimes your overcommitment affects how the gospel is played out in our home.” Then she added: “What he meant: It’s harder for us to see God’s unconditional, happy, sacrificial love when you’re constantly stressed and irritated, doing for God more than being with Him. Kindness and generosity and relationships take time and a wholeness of heart—not a harried, you-get-the-leftovers love.”

What’s our takeaway? God’s desire for us is to walk each step of our life with Him – not behind, and not ahead. Side by side, like two oxen in the same yoke. It’s easy to see that, to imagine that, but it’s not always easy to live it out from day to day. So, what do we do?

For me, it involves three things. First and foremost, it demands a committed heart. When I want Jesus to be first; when I desire Him above all things; when He’s the Treasure for which my heart most longs, I’m pliable and able to hear His voice more clearly. Second, when my calendar reflects my heart’s desire I will live within my margins and won’t overcommit. Sometimes our most spiritually appropriate response is “no!” Third, give yourself adequate time to rest.

When we’re making decisions on the fly without having had enough rest, we’re going to seek to appease others, not please God. It’s a process that takes time to learn, a process I’m still learning, but, by God’s grace, I’m closer today to accomplishing the good things He’s planned for me than I was yesterday. And tomorrow? We’ll figure that out after we get some rest!

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Cramped World of Self

“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT)

By opening our heart, soul, mind, and strength to God, we open the pathway to loving others as we love ourselves. Have you ever asked, “How do I love myself?” I’m not sure how it is for you, but for me it’s selfishly, possessively, generously, undeservedly, lavishly and with much grace, mercy, and kindness.

What might our walk with God look like if we really loved others as we love ourselves? Eugene Peterson wrote: “Prayer is the way we work our way out of the comfortable but cramped world of self and into the spacious world of God.” The world in which we live feeds our ego and encourages us to maximize our selfishness, but to what end?

Ben Franklin said: A man wrapped up in himself is a very small bundle.” We’re born with an intense desire to make much of ourselves, but God’s most important commandment is that we should make much of God. But there’s more! The second, and in the words of Jesus – “equally important” commandment is – to focus an equal amount of energy and effort that we put into loving ourselves, into loving others.

A line from a Third Day song says: “You took my heart, and you changed it with your words of life. You took my eyes, and you opened them and gave me sight.” By God’s grace, the Spirit of God opens our heart and eyes to ways to love and serve Him, but He also seeks to open us up to ways to give expression to the love He’s investing through us to others.

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I realize how much God loves me. Think about that for a moment. What is the most loving, sacrificial gift God has ever given you? His Son, right? So, what is the most reasonable response to God’s love for us as we give expression to His love through us to others? To tell them about what God has done for them through Jesus, right?

The only way anyone is ever going to escape the “cramped world of self” is to meet Jesus and allow Him to open their heart, mind, soul, and body to what knowing, loving, and serving Jesus looks like. Selfishness is diametrically opposed to who Jesus is and what He died to accomplish. The longer I walk with Jesus the more I realize my selfishness is allowing my friends, loved ones, neighbors, and others in my spheres of influence to miss heaven. How so?

To the extent I allow my own pride, fear, or desires of self-preservation and security to block my efforts to reach those who are lost, to that extent I’m held “liable” for their fates. Am I implying we will go to hell if we don’t warn them? No, but they might! Is it really worth the risk to allow that to happen? Not to me.

A.W. Tozer wrote: “Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one.” To me that means that the Holy Spirit will illuminate and magnify our efforts to help others discover who He is, if we’ll allow Him.

I don’t know everyone who reads these posts, but I do know some of you and your life of loving sacrifice for the good of others, in terms of the efforts you make to make Jesus known in the lives of others, is exemplary and inspiring. I’m seeking to model in my life what I see in Jesus’ life and in the life of many I know who bear His holy Name. Thank you for living selflessly and sacrificially to the good of others and the glory of God. Thank you for showing me the way of escaping the cramped world of self.

Blessings, Ed 😊

You Are Being Transformed by Turbulence!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” (Luke 4:18-19 NLT)

Shortly after beginning His public ministry, Jesus went to the Synagogue in Nazareth, His boyhood home, and was handed the scroll of Isaiah the prophet. After reading the above words from Isaiah 61, He rolled up the scroll and announced to those present: “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Several things were accomplished in that reading, much of which escapes us, as it did those who were in His original audience.

What things? He essentially announced He was the Messiah, God’s Chosen One, the fulfillment of ancient prophecy that was referenced to identify the coming of God in human form. Jesus was saying in essence: “I am the long-awaited One who will do and say things never seen or heard before. I’m here to declare that the time of God’s intervention in the affairs of man in a very personal way has come and I am His agent to carry them out among you.”

There was a lot of suffering among the Jewish people when Jesus came. They were subject to Roman rule, oppressed by high taxes and literally held captive on many levels. In many ways it was very similar to Isaiah’s audience when the words were first given. But what do these ancients words have to say to us today?

“Help in Darkness” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

Are you brokenhearted? Being held captive by your life-draining addiction? Needing release from the darkness of your soul that has imprisoned you? Is your faith crippled by the sinful desires that torment you day and night? Are you feeling helpless and hopeless? You may not believe me, but you’re actually in a very good position to experience the miracle of new life and hope in my Savior and best Friend, the Lord Jesus.

If you go back to Isaiah 61 and read the rest of the chapter you’ll see that in the vision God gave Isaiah of the coming Messiah, He (Jesus) will transform the turbulence of your life and turn you into a powerful display, not only of what knowing Jesus can do to change your life, but to enable you to become a living, breathing illustration of what yielding your life and allegiance to Jesus can look like.

God wants to use your present “turbulence” to enable you to become, in Isaiah’s words: “a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.” God’s desire is to turn you from wallowing in self-pity and spiritual worthlessness to a warrior dedicated to His honor and fame. Or in the words of Ron Hutchcraft: “He wants to use the turbulence to give you such a beautiful relationship with Him that you will be a stage to show His glory. Ultimately, the Bible says, ‘you will be named ministers of our God.’ That means you’ll be equipped by the hard times to be a powerful instrument of God in other hurting lives.”

The trials and troubles of our lives are never meant to hurt or disqualify us from God’s service; but rather, to equip and enable us to be more than we ever dared dream we could be. As I look at my life and the lives of many others, whatever measure of effectiveness God has given us has grown out of difficult circumstances in which we felt worthless and ruined for anything useful in God’s Kingdom. But by His grace and with His cleansing forgiveness, He’s lifted us up to greater heights of usefulness and purpose than we ever dared dream possible.

You may feel hopeless to make much needed change, but with His help you CAN! Trust Him! Whatever is holding you back, give it to Jesus, your Sovereign Lord, and allow Him to turn your turbulence into transformational triumph to His honor and fame.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Stay In Your Lane?

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:15-16 NLT)

Have you ever been cruising along, minding your own business, chillin’ to the tunes on your radio, when suddenly you notice the guy in the car next to you is moving into your lane? Maybe they’re texting, talking on the phone, or just not paying attention, but almost instinctively you hear yourself saying (shouting?) “Hey, buddy, stay in your own lane!”

Unfortunately, that’s a phenomenon that happens on more occasions and in more areas of our lives than we like to think. You walk into the kitchen while your husband or wife (whoever assumes that role in your family) is fixing dinner and you offer to help. Maybe not always, but if it’s something “special” or out of the ordinary, you might hear something like – “Just stick to what you know!” with the clear implication, “This is MY area of expertise, not yours!”

It happens in politics, education, health care, marriage/family, sports, news reporting, even in the Church. There are “specialists” in most every area of life who are seeking to “pigeon hole” our lives, demanding that we “stay in our lane,” with the clear implication: “This is OUR area of expertise. We know better how to make decisions here, so stay out of our way, we’ll handle this!”

John Stonestreet wrote in a recent Breakpoint: “… the biggest issue with this ‘stay in your lane’ approach to the Church is the question of what exactly the Christian lane is in the first place. Dutch statesman and theologian Abraham Kuyper put it best: ‘There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!’ In other words, because the head of the Church is Christ, who is Lord of everything, Christ’s lane is the entire cosmos.”

So, where does that put us, as Christ followers? What is “our lane” exactly? Should we not engage in politics? Education? Health Care? And all the other areas of life that are being distorted and violated by those who don’t have a conscience? That’s certainly what Satan would be pleased for us to do.

But Scriptures like those above state clearly Christ’s lordship over literally EVERYTHING! As Stonestreet writes: “This means it all belongs to Him. Christian musicians should make music as if God is sitting next to them on the piano bench. Christian bakers should make sourdough as if God is going to have a slice. Christian citizens of a democratic republic should strive, with humility and wisdom, to influence and govern and live together as if Christ is over it all, because He is. We contend for the well-being of our neighbors, even when it’s unpopular. The question isn’t whether Christians should engage politically, but whether we will do it well. We don’t live in a theocracy, and pastors aren’t policy makers. But Christians are to apply God’s truth about everything to everything.”

So, what IS our “lane?” Essentially, it’s anything the Lord equips and instructs us to do. Our role is to do good works that God prepared in advance for us to do, regardless of what area of life it may include, because the reality is, Christ’s Lordship, thus, our domain of Christian service, encompasses every conceivable aspect of human existence.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

For All to See

“And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see…You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:5, 8-9 NLT)

Salvation from sin and deliverance from the evil one are of incalculable value. How do I know that? Because when Peter speaks of the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:7) it’s described as “precious,” which literally means “of inestimable worth.” Its value is so great it can’t be calculated. Why is that important for us to know? Because that’s what Jesus believed you are worth to Him!

For a human being to wander through life aimlessly and without purpose is to slap God in the face and pretend Jesus’ death was for naught. It’s to take a priceless painting and use it for a liter box. It’s to ignore your inheritance as a child of God and to continue to live as a spiritual pauper.

What is the channel through which this priceless Treasure is obtained? “through your faith!” Read carefully the verses above and notice what God is doing while we wait for the final consummation of our faith. He’s protecting us until the Lord returns for His own. The word Peter uses in verse 5 that’s translated “protecting” is a word that means to “protect by military guard,” but it’s not a few soldiers that have nothing better to do. It paints the picture of a whole garrison, a post where many soldiers are stationed. Why? To protect you from Satan’s attempts to derail your faith. That’s their sole purpose.

The word literally means: “by watching and guarding to preserve one for the attainment of something.” What is so vitally important that God has placed you in His “protective custody” to guarantee you don’t miss it? Peter reveals it in verse 9: “The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.”

When Jesus returns He will obviously be the center and focus of everyone’s attention, as well He should be. But at some point on that very special day, He’s going to shift the focus to those who will be receiving a very special gift. And what is that gift? Our salvation!

Notice the “credentials” of these privileged ones: “You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him, and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” Why? Why do we rejoice with such joy? Because our faith is anchored in who Jesus is and what He accomplished for us on the cross. And what is our reward for that faith? “The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.”

“Yeh,” you may be wondering, “but I thought I was already saved.” See, that’s the thing, you are being saved, but the final chapter of our development as a child of God won’t be celebrated until we see Him face to face. That’s when the books will be opened and the names will be announced; that’s when we who have quietly and conscientiously been going about pursuing the Kingdom of God will hear our names. But it’s not like He’ll be reading name after name after name leading to one huge celebration.

In my mind’s eye I see everyone huddled together, millions of us waiting for our name to be read, anticipating our audience with the King, almost like our graduation from school or an awards ceremony when we finally receive the reward for which we’ve been longing. I don’t know exactly how to describe what I’m thinking, but it’s like a time lapse, like time stands still while Jesus calls our name and we go before Him. But rather than a ceremonial pat on the shoulder or shake of our hand, He takes us in His arms and holds us. It’s the kind of embrace you never want to end, it’s so satisfying, like you’ve lived your whole life for this moment. Then you hear His words: “I’m so proud of you! I know you struggled. I know you wanted to quit, but you hung in there. You trusted Me when it seemed I was far away. Today I’m celebrating you and I want everyone here to know how special you are to Me. Welcome home!”

It’s such a private moment, yet, it’s the reward of our life of loving without seeing, yet trusting; rejoicing with a glorious, inexpressible joy to which we’ve never quite been able to express until today…”FOR ALL TO SEE!”

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Loudness of Patient Silence

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” (Romans 5:5 NLT)

One of the first times I drove alone was when I was about 11. Of course, my dad was close by and gave me strict instructions – “Only go in a circle!” So, I loaded up a few of my friends and we took a “drive” around the dirt infield of our neighborhood ball field in my dad’s 1953 Mercury. I could barely see over the wheel, but I had an absolute blast.

When I was 14 or 15 my dad and I were on our way to visit my mom in the hospital a few hours away. He’d just gotten off his shift as a machinist and was worn out. So, again, he asked me to drive at night through the mountains of West Virginia in our 1956 Cadillac. I’ve only been in two accidents, neither my fault.

Why am I giving you this meaningless information? Because at 75 I’ve been driving a long time. I’m quite confident and competent behind the wheel, yet my beloved wife will still often bring a pillow and sit in the back seat. She says it just makes her feel safer. Earlier in our marriage she was the proverbial “nag,” but over time has learned to just be quiet and let me drive.

As I age, I don’t remember directions as well, even to places I might have been a few times, so I plug in my GPS, which I’ve learned, doesn’t always know the way either. So, sometimes my beloved will plug the directions in her phone. No one I’ve dated or even my first wife, ever complained about my driving, so it used to really bother me when my wife was so critical.

That’s why I related to the comment Jim Mitchell made in a Family Life devotion when he wrote: “Nothing feels worse as the driver than taking a wrong turn and having your spouse immediately comment on it. No matter what words she uses, all you hear is, ‘Hey stupid, you took a wrong turn. I noticed.’ Maybe it comes with a subtitle for easy translation: ‘You are incompetent.’”

Conversely, nothing feels better after taking a wrong turn than hearing … nothing. You actually have breathing room to find your way back on track. Oh, you’re certain she noticed the wrong turn. And she may very well be biting her tongue hard over there. But the patient silence speaks volumes: ‘I’m just thankful you’re keeping us safe. You’re doing a great job. I trust you.’ So empowering. Wrong turns are inevitable. But giving your spouse a little room for error can make the trip more enjoyable for both of you. That’s helpful navigation.”

Fortunately, we have opportunity to exercise “patient silence” in other settings. At home, work, or even at church. What’s my point? As Paul writes in the verse above, patience is an avenue leading to “complete harmony” with other believers.

This may come as a shock and surprise, but we who love and follow Jesus aren’t all alike. And the plot thickens when someone like me who has walked with the Lord for many years discovers he can be wrong. As long as there’s air in these old lungs, I pray I’ll always be learning new things – about God, about the Bible, about myself, about others.

Regardless of how long we’ve walked with Jesus, we must be patient with one another. None of us will always get it right. I know I don’t “knock it out of the park” with every post, but I want to. I want to be so sensitive to the Lord that I always hear Him and record His thoughts accurately. But just as important, I want to be sensitive to His leading when I hear a fellow believer when they say or do something that is clearly not in line with what Scripture teaches.

Rather than quickly and publicly correct them, I want to be patiently silent until such a time as I can lovingly, privately and guided by the Spirit, have a conversation with them. A conversation that won’t embarrass or cause them to be defensive, but will help both of us to see things more clearly, thus deepening our love and appreciation for one another, not driving a wedge between us.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

A Deep Sadness

“I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.” (Psalm 31:10 NLT)

Grief can be a debilitating disease of the soul. While grief can be healthy and helpful, it can also drive us to a destructive self-analysis that can be crippling. If you’ve been reading my blog for any period of time you likely know that God has given me a heart for my neighbors.

A few weeks ago, I put another “note” on each door in my neighborhood, the essence of which said: “Jesus is the issue with which we must come to terms. To miss Jesus is to miss eternal life – in this life and the next.” I included my name, phone, and email address and asked anyone with questions or concerns to please contact me.

No one has responded, but a young couple, whom my wife and I have grown to love, came to dinner with us a short time before I passed out the note. It was a night of endless chatter about their work, their health, and on and on, but I was frustrated because I had no opportunity to share what the Lord had given me with them.

Yesterday, I learned that one of them had died of the cancer we knew he had, but didn’t expect it to take him so soon. So, as I write today I’m enveloped by a deep sadness. The “Why” questions are bombarding me, coupled with the obvious concern – did anything I write or say to him make any difference in the closing moments of his young life?

Will he be eternally separated from God because I was too lax in my pursuit of his soul? The answer, of course, is no. Where he is spending eternity is based on the decision he made, nothing more, nothing less. However, He died on my watch. Was there something I could have said or done that may have influenced him to choose Christ? Even his partner urged him to speak with me, but to no avail.

As I write I’m asking the Lord to help me make sense of what has happened, and to teach me what I can do to never feel this way again. On the one hand, I’m grieving the loss of a friend whom I loved and whose company I enjoyed. But, on the other hand, I’m wallowing in my own guilt and shame for having let him slip into eternity without knowing whether or not at some point, maybe in the closing moments of his life, He had an encounter with Jesus.

Why do I feel this way? Because we are eternal beings enmeshed in the minutia of existence on this planet. Virtually everything we see, feel, hear, touch, or taste during our life on earth points us to the temporal, that which will not last. Yet, it’s to that we sell our soul! But why?

Why can’t we see the shallowness and frailty of this world-focused existence? Why must we put off the only thing in this life that really matters? Could it be we’re so entangled in selfishness we’re literally blinded to the light of life found only in Jesus? Can we, as Jesus followers, be so concerned about ourselves and what people will think of us, that it prevents us from sharing the only hope for a great life to come?

Two things the Lord is teaching me. One is, God can be trusted regardless of the circumstance. And two, I (we) can’t let ANYTHING keep us from sharing His love every opportunity we have, not only with our “lives,” but with our lips.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed ☹