Temporary Caretakers

“Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself.” (Psalm 80:15 NLT)

In our area, tomatoes are not ready for harvest until late in the growing season. They require consistent water all through the summer. Our neighbor tends to his tomatoes carefully--planting them in different spots every year, protecting the young plants against pests, supporting the vines in sturdy cages, fertilizing their garden with compost, checking their rain gauge, and watering the plants as needed. Every July, this neighbor goes to visit his relatives down South. He asks me to look after his tomato plants while he is on vacation. I take this responsibility seriously. I know how much care these plants have received already. I dutifully water them daily, even when there are no visible fruits. When my neighbor gets back from vacation, I am glad to hand back these responsibilities. He is a much better gardener than I am. In late summer, when the tomatoes ripen, my neighbor shares his crop with me. I am pleased that I got to play a small part in all of this, but I don’t have any illusions about who grew those tomatoes!

As parents, we get to take care of our children for a short while. While this is a serious responsibility, we must remind ourselves that God is the one who tenderly planted and raised our children. We can trustingly hand them back to the Lord. He is a much better caretaker than we can ever be.  God allows us to share in the joy of parenting, but let us not have any illusions about who has raised our kids thus far! The Lord is a dependable teacher, guide, and mentor. Let us continually surrender all our concerns to Him.

Dealing with Limitations

“Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” (2 Corinthians 12:11 MSG)

Major races like the Boston Marathon have Adaptive Programs for runners who possess permanent physical, intellectual, or visual impairments that impact their ability to run. Qualifying for the Boston Marathon usually requires a fast time at another certified race. Even those in the Adaptive Programs have to qualify for the race--but they are given a modified time standard based on their impairment type. During the race, visually-impaired runners have guides who provide them with verbal cues and navigational support. The sighted guides will tell the runners where to turn, warn them of road hazards, and help them get water at aid stations.  Thus, Adaptive Programs allow people with limitations to participate in the marathon experience.

Limitations can come in all different forms--physical, intellectual, emotional, temperamental, financial, relational, geographical, technological--the list is unlimited. Whether they are long-term or temporary, dealing with impairments requires a shift in perspective. Because of our shortcomings, we qualify for special assistance from God. As long as we are fixated on our inabilities, we cannot focus on our Guide. Our lack of power, energy, and influence allows us to rely on Him. The better we follow, the more He leads. When we let Christ take over, our limitations become launching pads for miracles.  

Intercessory Prayer

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.” (1 Timothy 2:1 MSG)

We live in a rural area and the closest grocery store is 15 miles away. My neighborhood friends and I have developed a practice of texting each other when we get to the store: “I’m at Walmart; do you need anything?” These texts seem to come at just the right time--on hectic days when you just don’t have the time to drive into town to pick up a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk.

Similarly, it is nice when a friend offers to pray for us. It’s not that we can’t pray for ourselves, but when we feel unsettled or overwhelmed, it is difficult to focus. This is when an intercessor can be helpful. Next time you are in a prayerful zone, reach out and ask others if they need anything. Then take their requests and concerns to the Lord faithfully, expectantly.

“When faith goes to market, it always takes a basket.” (L.B. Cowman)

Spiritual CPR

“Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22 NLT)

I can imagine Jesus bending down, breathing upon a spiritually unconscious person, and resuscitating him. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God. It is the eternal source of life, goodness, and wisdom. It is possible to sleepwalk through our time on earth, functioning in the physical domain, while remaining oblivious to the metaphysical realm. We don’t know what we are missing when we have never experienced anything more.

“Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing.” (1 Corinthians 2:15 MSG)

The Divine breath revives us from our temporal stupor, animating our souls. We are no longer paralyzed by sensuality and ego.  When our intentions and thoughts are aligned with God’s, trust becomes natural. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing. We take part in the sacred. Infused with the Spirit of Truth, we become conscious and discerning. The sanctifying energy of the Holy Spirit fills us, empowering us to experience the transcendent vitality of God.

“Breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!” (Psalm 80:18 MSG)

Tethered to the Spirit

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” (Colossians 3:16 CEV)

These days, most of us connect to the internet wirelessly. We use our mobile devices to access WiFi or have a dedicated data plan through our cellular carriers. The prevalence and convenience of WiFi has made us forget the benefits of a wired connection. An ethernet cable attached directly to a modem provides a more consistent, high-quality signal. There is less interference, lag, and background noise from other networks.

Spiritual wisdom cannot be accessed as conveniently as worldly data. Interference from worries, lag from wanting our own way, and background noise from the voices around us severely limit sacred discernment.  Access to the Holy Spirit requires a tethered connection. We must allow the Spirit of Truth to completely fill our lives, flowing uninterruptedly through us to others.

An atmosphere of praise and thankfulness amplifies holy signals and strengthens our ability to receive the Holy Spirit. It clears the air of all other competing noises clamoring for our attention. It extends our senses, allowing us to experience the overwhelming Spirit of God. The indwelling grace of God connects with the Spirit, and we become partakers in the sacred communion.

Demolishing Barriers

“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 MSG)

Home renovation shows often feature a segment on demolishing the old to make space for the new. They tear down walls between living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens. These open-concept plans allow for more natural light, visual flow, a sense of togetherness, and ease of communication.

A life steeped in worldliness is like an old house with compartmentalized rooms. These walls enable us to manage the separate areas of our identity. However, it blocks the flow of the Spirit. Tearing down barriers against truth is a prerequisite to enlightenment. Unless we demolish the strongholds of self-defeating attitudes and behavior, our lives remain dark, cramped, and musty. Just as remodeling an old house exposes wiring, plumbing, and ductwork--renovating our spiritual lives reveals many loose thoughts, emotions, and impulses. All of these must be fitted properly into the new structure of a God-shaped life. Once the renovation is complete, the new space looks and feels completely different.  Light floods in. There is openness and communion. There is no separation between us and God.

How to Handle Detractors

“I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters.” (2 Corinthians 10:1 MSG)

St. Paul shows us how to handle supporters as well as detractors. He faced criticism about his writing, his preaching, his credentials as an Apostle, his leadership, his personality, and his past. Most of us would cave into our feelings of insecurity and decide we must have misheard our calling. St. Paul confronts his critics head on. When his detractors tell him that he is not impressive, he responds: You’re right, I’m not, but-- “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

There will always be detractors who question our motives, style, substance, credentials, intelligence, or ability. We can either feel insecure and back down, we can boldly continue to pursue our calling. If we rely on our own talents to do our assignment, criticism will tear us down. However, when we depend completely on God’s power--we are unfazed by challengers. Our confidence comes from the Lord’s sufficiency, not our own.

“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing--nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable--absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” (Romans 8:37-39 MSG)

Careful Planting

“Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT)

Johnny Appleseed (aka John Chapman) was a missionary who is most known for planting apple trees in the frontiers of America. He shared the gospel by example--leading a life of simplicity, humility, intentional generosity, gratitude, and faith. Children’s books depict him as a barefoot young man, in tattered clothes, who randomly dropped apple seeds wherever he went. In truth, John Chapman was very intentional about his farming. He planted nurseries--nurturing the seedlings until they were hardened. He built fences around the nurseries and then found local farmers to care for his plants by giving them a share of the trees. He returned every year or two to tend to the seedlings. The trees he planted provided fruit for future generations of humans, birds, and animals.

Farmers know that planting generously yields maximum harvest. However, dumping all the seeds in one spot on poor soil is wasteful. Good farmers are intentional about everything they do. They plant seeds carefully, preparing the soil ahead of time in the proper season, distributing the seeds evenly, watering, fertilizing, and protecting their seedlings from livestock and pests.

Similarly, good stewards are intentional in their generosity. Haphazard and impulsive giving may seem charitable, but it can be wasteful. Timing, distribution, and research are important factors that need to be considered. We are called to be responsible with what we have been given--our money, talent, time, gifts, connections, opportunities, wisdom, strength, etc. Thus, let us take the seeds of our resources and plant them carefully for maximum yield.

Forgiveness vs. Gullibility

“‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’

‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’ (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT)

Jesus instructed us to forgive others, but he doesn’t ask us to be gullible. Forgiveness allows us to not retaliate or hold others accountable for past transgressions. It doesn’t require us to ignore what we have learned from previous experiences.

If a neighborhood dog bites me, I will try to avoid going near it in the future. In fact, if I see any dog that even resembles it, I will cross the street. If someone gives me counterfeit money once, I will be wary of any cash they give me in the future. In fact, I would probably look at every large bill carefully, no matter who handed it to me. Continuing to buy what someone is presenting--even when we suspect it is counterfeit--is simply foolish. Many of us want to give others the benefit of the doubt, even if we know they have manipulated us in the past. We want to trust, reconcile, and believe that we are worthy of being treated honorably. We allow others to continually exploit us. This is gullibility, not forgiveness.

Forgiveness vs. Gullibility

“‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’

‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’ (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT)

Jesus instructed us to forgive others, but he doesn’t ask us to be gullible. Forgiveness allows us to not retaliate or hold others accountable for past transgressions. It doesn’t require us to ignore what we have learned from previous experiences.

If a neighborhood dog bites me, I will try to avoid going near it in the future. In fact, if I see any dog that even resembles it, I will cross the street. If someone gives me counterfeit money once, I will be wary of any cash they give me in the future. In fact, I would probably look at every large bill carefully, no matter who handed it to me. Continuing to buy what someone is presenting--even when we suspect it is counterfeit--is simply foolish. Many of us want to give others the benefit of the doubt, even if we know they have manipulated us in the past. We want to trust, reconcile, and believe that we are worthy of being treated honorably. We allow others to continually exploit us. This is gullibility, not forgiveness.

Indirect People

“We keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2 MSG)

I have often thought about writing a book titled: How to Spot Insincerity and Avoid Manipulation. I study and write about this topic frequently, because authenticity is one of my core values.

When I am listening to someone, I pay just as much attention to what they don’t say as to what they do say. There is a difference between people who are private and those who delude themselves and mislead others. Insincerity is often accompanied by incongruency in what is said, body language, behavior, and other background information.

"Indirect people, people who are afraid to say who they are, what they want, and what they're feeling, cannot be trusted. They will somehow act out their truth even though they do not speak it." (The Language of Letting Go, Melody Beattie) 

Trusting those who are habitually indirect is unwise. Honesty, transparency, and consistency are highly significant measures of character. Lack of maturity and self-awareness may cause some individuals to present disparate versions of themselves at different times. Eventually, they will act out their truth even though they do not speak it. If a young child denies eating his brother’s cake when his whole face is covered in chocolate, his lie may be excusable. However, the same behavior in an adult is outrageous. When presented with expressions of insincerity, many of us want to take what is said at face value--especially if ignoring the incongruity is more convenient or strokes our ego. Authenticity can be cumbersome and unpopular. However, we honor ourselves and others by revealing our true selves and expecting others to do the same.

Obsessed

“My people are obsessed with turning away from me.” (Hosea 11:7 NET)

Worry displaces trust in God, tormenting faith and consuming peace. The obsessions of our minds dominate our emotions and decisions. God cannot occupy our lives fully when we are preoccupied by other concerns.

“If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives—not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.” (My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers)

Being consumed with God protects us from the temptation to let every distraction and worrisome thought take over. If our minds are preoccupied with godly messages and people, there is no room for worthless pursuits.  The Spirit of the Lord is with us, but worldly concerns cause us to be undiscerning. Our attentiveness leads to awareness; awareness leads to trust; and trust leads to faith. Thus, surrounding ourselves with positive influences is essential. When our life is saturated with goodness, every direction that we turn, every choice we make, leads to intimacy with God.  

Sealed

“In him you were sealed with the Holy Spirit whom he promised.” (Ephesians 1:13 GWT)

Dear Lord,

I am not sure what you mean by the above verse. I’ve read it several times, and combed through the different translations and commentaries, but I’m still confused.

This much I get: Christ promised the Holy Spirit to us.

But I don’t understand how I am ‘sealed’ by the Holy Spirit.

Please clarify...

The Spirit of Holiness covers and confirms you.

You are secure and sealed. Your soul is tamper resistant.

You lived as if your time on earth was your own business.

Busyness filled up your life, but you remained unfulfilled.

Your business is MY business.  

My presence and power have taken possession of your life.

My sign is upon you.

You operate under MY authority now.

You represent ME.

The outdated will be updated.

The broken will be restored.

What was once limited is now unlimited.

My seal guarantees my promise.

Go forth in strength and confidence.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)

Reply All

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth.” (Ephesians 1:13 MSG)

Prayer is communion with God. God already understands us, even better than we know ourselves. Prayer allows us to know God by reflecting, studying, listening, and responding. In the process, we learn more about the deepest parts of ourselves. When we express what we learn, it helps others understand God and us better.

When I am included in a group email, I tend to only reply to the original sender. I am reluctant to ‘reply all,’ because I’m not sure if everyone would be interested to read my response.

Like many others, I pray through writing. In Christ, we are all included in the message of truth. Think of the Scriptures as a group email addressed to all of us. For years, I responded only to the original sender, choosing to keep my communication with the Lord private. Now I reply to all. When I make my correspondences with God open to others, some intimacy is lost. However, I do so for the sake of sharing my understanding of God and making Him known.

Making Space

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT)

Our old fridge did not have a replaceable water filter, so although it was hooked up to a water supply, we stopped using the automatic ice maker. Instead, we regularly filled plastic ice trays with filtered water and carefully placed them in our freezer. Every time we needed ice, we would have to go through the process of manually refilling these ice trays. Since we weren’t using the automatic ice maker, we used the space to hold bags of frozen vegetables and fruits. The bin had a metal feeler arm that sensed when it was full and turned off the ice making process. It didn’t matter what we filled it with, as long as the bin was not empty, the automatic ice maker stayed inactive.

When we don’t trust the source of our supply, we tend to rely on our own resources. We depend on our talents, support networks, and concepts of self-sufficiency. If we keep our life crammed with fillers, the Holy Spirit stays dormant. Faith is confident trust in God. We learn to wait in the emptiness, knowing that the hollow space is essential for the Spirit to work. God, the source of hope, fills us completely with joy and peace when we trust in him. When we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, we are hooked up to a continuous supply, which enables us to overflow with confident hope.

Inconspicuous Generosity

“But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.” (James 3:17 GNT)

Worldly values prompt us to display wealth by competitive spending. The stuff we purchase for ourselves, the trips we take, the exclusive schools we send our children to, the gifts we buy for others, and the donations we make to charity can all become tools to flaunt our affluence. While this sort of conspicuous consumption is a symptom of status seeking, inconspicuous generosity can be a sign of genuine goodness and authentic altruism.

According to a study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology, there is an inverse correlation between spirituality and materialism. This makes sense. Spirituality makes us more aware of those in need, those who are suffering. It also makes us grateful for what we have. This spirit of charity and gratitude decreases our desire for more and more. Our bucket list is no longer full of stuff to acquire or thrills to seek; instead, we look at every day as an opportunity to make a positive impact, to fulfill our calling. We give without seeking credit, without expectation of reciprocity. This is not worldly shrewdness, but spiritual insight. Free from prejudice and hypocrisy, this wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle, and compassionate. This kind of true altruism displaces insatiable materialism, allowing us to leave behind the mundane pursuits of the masses, elevating us to heights of blessedness.  

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167487011001309

Social Status

“If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” (James 3:14 NIV)

In every culture, humans have been motivated by social status. Although status symbols change with time, the desire to enhance social standing remains common. Conspicuous consumption and self-aggrandizement are typical tools for social climbers. Status hierarchies require two kinds of behavior: dominance and deference. Those who seek admiration need admirers; those who want power need those that follow; those who wish to boost their image need those willing to stoop low.

Envy and selfish ambition are key motives of social stratification. Without comparison, there would be no hierarchy. Taking pride in our accomplishments or talents is no different than boasting. Denying the truth about what really drives our choices and behavior is delusional and deceptive. This kind of thinking is regressive, misguided, and dangerous.

“Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil.” (James 3:15-16 GNT)

Private Motives

“For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives.” (1 Corinthians 4:5 NLT)

Extrinsic incentives such as social status, money, and power have mass appeal, whereas intrinsic motives such as curiosity, purpose, satisfaction, and growth are less popular. Understanding our own core motives as well as those of others is a vital part of awareness.

What drives you when there is no audience, when there is no one around to appreciate you or disapprove of you? What if there were no pictures to take, no one to tell you how great you are, or no one to criticize your choices? Understanding your own motives is complicated enough; discovering what compels others is even more convoluted. The motives of each heart are buried deep, and unearthing them is an intricate expedition which requires spiritual guidance and wisdom.

Trust Sensor

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6 NLT)

What makes us susceptible to insincerity? Why can’t we see through deceptive displays of affection, words of flattery, gifts of fake pearls? When someone repeatedly shows us that they are untrustworthy, why do we keep thinking that they will be different?

Most of us can sense when someone is untrustworthy, especially if we have known them for a while. We can observe how they treat others in their lives and see patterns of deception. We have noticed how they rob others of dignity, how they step on them as they climb the ladder of ambition. However, our desire to be loved and accepted mesmerizes us into giving some people the benefit of the doubt. We want to believe that we are worthy enough to induce these exploiters to change their ways. Thus, we ignore our gut, our trust sensor--and, instead, follow our heart’s desire to feel valuable, loveable, acceptable. Sincere friends might warn us that we are being used as a doormat, but we reject their admonitions. Instead, we accept the fake embraces, hoping that this time will be different, that we are special enough to beget loyalty and sincerity.