Holiness vs. Popularity

“Don’t you know that flirting with the world’s values places you at odds with God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy!” (James 4:4 TPT)

Holiness is unpopular. Why? Because it sets one apart from the world. Admiration from our fellow humans provides an instant hit of pleasure. It is addictive. We follow the hordes down the path of darkness, because we want to fit in and be accepted. Popularity requires conformity to the world’s value system while sanctity calls for resistance to it. 

We look at the world and agree that things are not as they should be. It is what it is...nothing we can do about it. We shrug our shoulders and go about distracting ourselves with worldly pursuits--mistaking this for the good life.

“We must not fear the darkness; we must simply resolve to carry light into wherever we are. The call to discern the difference between what is holy and what is simply popular, between what is and what should be, is of the essence of the good life.” (The Time is Now by Joan Chittister)

Progressive sanctification requires intentional practice. Contemplation brings some clarity. Discerning the difference between what is holy and what is popular, between God’s will and human agenda, between what is and what should be--this is our spiritual quest. The courage to resist conformity, to carry light into the darkness--this is our sacred purpose. 

Tempered Virtue

“We know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. ” (Romans 5:3 MSG)

Tempering is a technique by which metal alloys are heated and cooled for precise times and temperatures to achieve a desired balance of properties. Tempered steel is tough and malleable. This makes it a suitable material for many manufacturing processes. 

Adversity can be a form of tempering, making us tough and malleable. It shapes us from the inside out, transforming our perspective, developing perseverance. In time, our capacity to bear provocation and pain increases. We become more resistant to external pressure. Our character is refined. We learn to stay alert and attuned, anticipating God’s goodness.

Reinforced Faith

“The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5 MSG)

A faith that is based on religious doctrines, individual experience, or fervent sentiments can look impressive, but it is structurally weak. Like a concrete building with no reinforced steel inside, it looks fine from the outside, but it cannot withstand tension or shifts in its surroundings. Human strengths and favorable circumstances can lead to a sense of self-assurance, but it is a precarious confidence. 

Our beliefs crack under tension, caving in at the first tremor. Unless the Holy Spirit enters us, our convictions remain wishy-washy. The Spirit reinforces our faith, providing strength and structure. This power remains dormant until we access it. And how do we access it? We yield. We turn off our own supremacy and allow the Spirit of God to take over. 

How to Defeat Evil

“Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 TPT)

I don’t watch news shows on TV anymore. It’s all too depressing. It seems like the world is full of greed, racism, violence, war, pride, divisiveness, oppression, and corruption. The haves ignore the have-nots. The powerful abuse the powerless. The insiders marginalize the outsiders. Lies trump truth.  And the majority seems to turn a blind eye.

“Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good. Do not grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it with good.” (Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy)

The temptation to grow apathetic and accustomed to evil, to throw up our hands and give in, can be strong. We ask ourselves: “What can one person do when the world is so messed up?” 

Trust God. Look for how He is working and join Him. Do good, even if it seems inconsequential. Be kind, even when the world is unkind. Reach out to the marginalized. Speak up for the voiceless. Share with those who have less. Change happens incrementally at first. Do not let evil get the best of you. Fight back. Defeat evil with good. 

A Sensitive Spirit

“Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how!” (Ephesians 6:18 VOICE)

The nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing external stimuli. Nerve damage can result in loss of sensation. Inability to feel pain or changes in temperature can be injurious to our bodies. Similarly, spiritual numbness can be detrimental to our well-being. When we go through our days disconnected from God, living as if everything depended on us, our souls become desensitized. 

“Am I open to the action of the Holy Spirit? Do I pray to him to give me illumination, to make me more sensitive to God’s things? This is a prayer we must pray every day: ‘Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the word of God, make my heart open to goodness, make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.’” (Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy)

Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit for illumination, to make you sensitive to God’s things, to make you aware. Pray. Call upon the Spirit to make your heart open to goodness. Pray. Pray about everything in every way you know how!”

Most Inspiring

“For the one who is least important in your eyes is actually the most important one of all.” (Luke 9:48 TPT)

I was watching a documentary about a group of women who were training to run their first half marathon. They were a diverse group--different sizes, different ages, different abilities. Each of them had unique challenges to overcome. They trained together for months before the race, encouraging and supporting one another. Finally, the day of the half marathon arrived. All the women started off together. Within the first hour, the faster runners were way ahead, and the slower runners and walkers were lagging behind. Eventually, each of them crossed the finish line and waited for the rest of their friends to join them. There was a long gap between the first and the last. Finally, the last of the ladies finished. I found myself involuntarily clapping for her in my living room while watching her on TV. I had not felt the urge to applaud any of the others. She was the most inspirational of the bunch. She had overcome the most to finish the race. 

People who come in first are often admired, but those who overcome the most obstacles are even more inspirational. When we admire someone, we look up to them, but we don’t necessarily emulate them. Perhaps their accomplishments seem outside of our reach. However, when we observe a person who is overlooked, who finishes last but never gives up despite adversity--this is inspirational. We are motivated to change by her actions. The one who seems least important can, thus, end up being the most influential! 

Prayer Anchors

“He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.” (Colossians 4:12-13 MSG)

A pothos plant can grow long leggy vines with beautiful foliage. Yet, sometimes the leaves fall off, leaving bare segments. One of the ways to propagate this plant is by layering. This involves taking the wounded nodules of the vine and burying them under the soil. Some sort of anchoring device is used to hold them in place until they form new roots and foliage. 

I am thankful for all those who have encouraged my faith. They saw my wounded parts and layered them in prayer until new roots were formed. Sometimes, we are called to be the anchors that hold others close to the Lord in prayer. This is an obscure, yet essential, task. Consistently pray for those who are wounded--that their suffering is not wasted. Press them deep into Jesus, until they can stand firm, mature, and confident in everything God wants them to do. 

When Not to Procrastinate

“Don’t procrastinate--there’s no time to lose.” (Proverbs 6:4 MSG)

A friend of mine is battling cancer. He no longer takes his time or energy for granted. He doesn’t fill up his life with tons of activities or accomplishments. He consciously submits his days to God. There was a time when my friend was just as occupied by worldly things as the rest of us. The Lord has transformed him completely; in turn, he has influenced so many people around him to live by faith and dependence on the Lord. 

Procrastination is the act of delaying what needs to be done till a later time. Many of us live under the assumption that we will have more time tomorrow than today. Opportunities are lost while we dawdle. Indecisiveness, a sign of unclear priorities, is another reason for postponement. Procrastinating about distractions, entertainment, and pleasure seeking is not as harmful as delaying what is essential and purposeful. That which leads to spiritual growth is more valuable than worldly gain.  

Be conscious of the preciousness of every moment. Time, health, and energy are limited resources. Submit to God today. Do not delay. Do not waste grace. There is no limit to what God can accomplish through us when we consciously yield our lives to Him. 

“I can't live my whole life wasting

All the grace that I know You've given

'Cause You made me for so much more than

Sittin' on the side lines

I don't wanna look back and wonder

If good enough could've been better

Everyday's a day that's borrowed

So, why am I waiting for tomorrow.” 

(lyrics from “Waiting for Tomorrow” by Mandisa)

Bring Out the Best

“Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.” (Colossians 4:6 MSG)

How can we bring out the best in others?

Listen--Tune in to what is said and left unsaid. Observe their body language and facial expressions. Recognize their uniqueness.  Pay attention.

Value--Consider what they have to say. Give them time and space to express themselves. Do not be dismissive. Affirm and accept their innate worth. 

Encourage--Point out what is good. Find the spark within; add kindling and oxygen until it is a steady flame. Inspire and empower others until they can see their own strengths. 

Give--Be available and open. Do not seek to profit from others; instead, strive to build up others for their own benefit. Focus on what you can give, not what you can get. 

Be gracious--Remain approachable and honest. Treat yourself and others honorably. Speak truthfully and clearly. 

Learn and Share

“Pray that God would open doors and windows and minds and eyes and hearts for the word so we can go on telling the mystery of the Anointed.” (Colossians 4:3 VOICE)

These days, most serious runners wear techy watches that measure all sorts of data. These GPS-enabled devices display a runner’s pace, heart rate, elevation changes, splits per mile, distance, etc. Understanding these metrics can help athletes train more efficiently. Unfortunately, the graphs and statistics can be complicated. It takes a bit of study to decipher all the data and figure out how it is useful. Once I learned to make sense of all the information, things got interesting. And like anything else that is exciting, I couldn’t wait to share the news with others. I had been given the privilege of learning something useful and explaining it to others!

“Pray that I would unfold and reveal fully this mystery, for that is my delightful assignment.” (Colossians 4:4 TPT)

Divine mysteries can be difficult to comprehend. Studying Scripture requires time, inclination, patience, interest, and diligence. The Holy Spirit is a wonderful teacher who opens our minds and hearts to insights and understanding. But this learning is not meant for us to keep to ourselves. We are each commissioned to unfold and reveal the mystery of Christ to others. God will open doors, windows, minds, eyes, and hearts for us as we move forward. Our mission is to explain, to make plain, to share what we have learned--clearly and fearlessly. 

A Grateful Perspective

“Stay alert, with your eyes open in gratitude.” (Colossians 4:2 MSG)

As a runner, some part of my body is regularly sore or injured. As soon as I wake up, I do a mental scan of my body. I tend to fixate on whatever is ailing rather than all that is working. As I go about my day, I am aware of every niggle and cramp. I complain to my running friends, because most of them can relate to what I am going through. It is not that I don’t appreciate my body and its ability to function; I do...but it is not my default setting. What if I took an inventory of all that is well and good? 

Gratitude takes intentional attentiveness and reinforcement. There are several steps to developing a grateful perspective:

1. Acknowledgement--Vigilantly look out for what is good and right. Be fully conscious of every blessing.  
2. Appreciation--Recognize the value of all that you have. Be thankful.
3. Expression--Reveal gratitude through your words and actions. 
4. Change in mindset--Continual practice develops new ways of thinking. Learn to scan your life and notice all that is good.

Gratefulness is not merely a variation of positive thinking or optimism. It is not a denial of pain. Instead, it is a refocusing, a reaffirmation--that even in the midst of suffering, we can be attentive and develop a perspective of gratitude. 

Diligent Prayer

“Pray diligently.” (Colossians 4:2 MSG)

I have a habit of texting my husband throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be anything important; I just like to share whatever I am thinking and doing. I want his input and feedback. I also stay in touch with my closest friends regularly. However, I only share the details of my life with the ones I trust completely. 

Prayer is consistent communication with God. There are many ways to connect with God: study, contemplate, talk, write, praise, sing. We can share our thoughts, emotions, desires, and plans. We can ask the Lord for HIS input into everything we are doing and feeling. Unless we know God intimately and trust Him completely, we won’t feel like seeking Him out consistently. Diligent prayer is persistent and earnest. It takes effort and practice. God is invited into every thought and action. Partnering with God this way, throughout each day, enables us to remain focused on His purposes. His reassuring presence strengthens us. His wisdom saturates our minds. His directions keep us on track. 

Active Clothes

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.” (Colossians 3:12 MSG)

Do clothes make a man or woman? People are often judged by their external appearance, and the opinions of others can affect you. However, defining yourself or others by clothes rather than behavior is superficial. There was a time when I chose my clothes and accessories based on how they made me look and feel: attractive, colorful, fashionable, admirable. I paid a lot of attention to presentation but not much to practicality. Although I still own most of these clothes, I find myself buying and wearing more activewear lately. These days, ease of movement, comfort, durability, and affordability are what I want from clothes.  

The wardrobe God picks out for us is also active: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. These are not passive adornments that make you look good in front of others. These deep-seated qualities require intentional effort. Compassion leads us to suffer with those who are struggling. Kindness involves empathy and consideration. Humility allows us to yield to God. Quiet strength comes from a gentle spirit with firm convictions. Discipline brings training and accountability to do what is right and good. Clothed in these virtues, we are outfitted perfectly, according to God’s purpose. 

Defined by Labels

“In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, or your ethnicity, education, or economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us!” (Colossians 3:11 TPT)

Labels make it easy to sort people into categories: young, old, Black, White, Native, foreigner, religious, secular, Christian, Muslim, conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, urban, rural, male, female, married, single, lazy, productive, strong, weak, educated, uneducated, rich, poor, worthy, unworthy--the list is never-ending. We define ourselves and others based on a worldly value system. This identity, shaped by external elements and opinions, is deformed. 

When we allow others to define us, we give them power over us. 

Our lives were once deformed by things and feelings.

Now, we know better. 

Now, we are aware that we are formed from the inside. External circumstances and labels are just stickers that have nothing to do with our true identity. Our nationality, ethnicity, education, economic status--they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as He lives in every one of us! Let us submit to His power over us and not hand it over unthinkingly to the world. We are defined by Christ--nothing less!

Mezuzah

“Do whatever it takes to remember what I’m telling you: tie a reminder on your hand or put a reminder on your forehead where you’ll see it all the time, and on the doorpost where you cross the threshold. (Deuteronomy 11:18-21 VOICE)

A mezuzah is a small box containing scrolls with certain verses from the book of Deuteronomy. They are affixed to doorposts of Jewish homes to remind all who enter of their connection to God. A mezuzah is not meant to be an amulet that protects homes from misfortune. However, like with many other religious objects, the verses and the casing of a mezuzah are often associated with superstitious beliefs. Biblical verses do not possess magical properties. They are not meant to be used as spells or to infuse our intercessions with special powers.

A wedding ring symbolizes a covenant. It reminds everyone that the wearer is in a committed relationship. The ring itself has no magical properties to bless a marriage. Similarly, Scripture reminds us of truth--of God’s immense love and commitment. This truth prompts us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. It gives us the desire to internalize these words and make them part of who we are. Like a person in love, we surround ourselves with reminders of our commitment. Our speech, our homes, our days are filled with expressions of devotion. The symbols themselves have no mystical power; only the commitment behind them is supernatural.

Brave and Strong

“The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:37 NLT)

David’s decision to face Goliath in single combat seemed stupid to those around him. Goliath was a giant warrior in full armor. David was not. He did not measure up in size, skill, resources, or experience. How could David face this giant? Was he not afraid? 

Goliath was physically strong, but David’s strength came from the potency of his faith. From previous experience, David knew that God was dependable. He showed up in the arena expecting the Lord to be there with him. Like David, we can courageously face difficulties instead of cowering in fear. Boldness of spirit has nothing to do with size. Trust in the Lord. Persist in prayer. Count on God.

Be Brave

Be Strong

Don’t Give Up

Expect God.

Psalm 31:24

Praying Psalm 32

Lord, wipe my slate clean

Give me a fresh start

I’m going to pour out everything to you

My guilt, my shame, my fears, my sins

Please don’t hold back Your forgiveness

I shall be still in Your presence

Wash me clean.

When the difficulties of life overwhelm me

Lord, You are my safe space

You guide me along the best pathway for my life

You direct and protect me through insights

When you take me into uncomfortable levels 

Be patient with my anxieties and stubbornness

Help me to be completely open with You

I trust in Your forgiveness

And wallow in Your goodness

Wrap me completely in Your grace

Surround me with Your Love

Soul Food

“For my body is real food for your spirit and my blood is real drink.The one who eats my body and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. The Father of life sent me, and he is my life. In the same way, the one who feeds upon me, I will become his life.” (John 6:55-57 TPT)

Food and water are essential to life. Our physical bodies are made to crave,  search out, grow, prepare, chew, and digest what we need. Hunger and thirst are driving forces in all conscious beings.  Comatose patients cannot eat on their own. Thus, they are kept alive with liquid nutrition through nasogastric tubes. 

Conscious beings also sense a deeper need--a dissatisfaction, a desperation, a craving for something more. Our souls hunger and thirst for God. Christ offers his sacrificial love as spiritual sustenance. It is up to us to trust, accept, and align ourselves to Him. Be intentional. Do not remain spiritually comatose--depending upon others to feed you passively. Seek nourishment in Christ. Chew on His word. Ingest Him continually until you and Christ become one flesh and blood.  

Gardening Visions

“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.” (Jeremiah 4:3 NLT)

Planning a garden in the midst of winter requires hope and imagination. The ground is frozen and all deciduous trees are bare. Fortunately, gardeners have colorful seed catalogs to inspire them. These catalogs always have pictures of the end products--vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Images of seeds are not as exciting. 

An experienced gardener knows that there is a lot of work between browsing through a seed catalog and harvest. He knows the importance of patience, timing, soil preparation, watering, weeding, and fertilization. Scattering good seed on hard ground is useless. 

“Surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord.” (Jeremiah 4:4 NLT)

During the dark winters of our lives, we need hope and vision. God’s Word is like a seed catalog, providing ample insights and inspiration. Yet, reading and repeating Bible verses is not enough. Vulnerability, patience, and preparation are necessary. The hard ground of our hearts has to be plowed up, surrendering pride and power. Contemplation, study, and life application further nurtures growth. All this work is done for one purpose: a changed heart. This hope, this vision--of knowing God, of being absorbed into His being, of being useful to Him--provides all the motivation and direction we need.

External Esteem

“Shouldn’t the one who cleans the outside also be concerned with cleaning the inside?” (Matthew 23:26 TPT)

External validation feels good, but it is not the same as self-esteem. People who do and say what others want are often popular. They learn to present an admirable facade. Most people invest their lives in improving their exteriors, while their interior remains in shambles. They remain unaware that their real self is the source of true confidence. 

“Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life.” (Colossians 3:3 MSG)

An identity based on appearances or accomplishment remains unstable.  Everything worldly is temporary. Our real life, even though invisible to spectators, is secure in Christ. The Spirit lives in us, molding us from within. Sanctity purifies us from the inside out. When our character is shaped by assurance in God, we recognize our worth. Our real self, our secure integrity within Christ, is the source of true confidence.

Supernatural Views

“Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” (Colossians 3:1-2 MSG)

I tend to focus on one thing at a time. Sometimes, I can be physically unaware of my surroundings, because I get absorbed in the emotions of others. Conversations, body language, and moods affect me. My experiences color my feelings. My feelings shape my perspective.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)

If I am too busy looking at what is going on around me, I can’t see what is happening around Christ. I may imagine that my perspective is aligned with Christ’s and, thus, one and the same. This is a delusion. Most of the time, my perspective is just that--mine only--not Divine. 

Feelings are not faith. And as long as we rely on our emotions and experiences, our perspectives remain narrow. There is no transformation. Only the Spirit of God working within us can change our minds.  We have to be alert to what is going on around Christ in order to see things from His perspective. Sacred Truth grants us supernatural views of Divine Grace. And God’s ways are far beyond anything we could imagine. 

Unworthy

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home.” (Matthew 8:8 NLT)

Have you ever felt unworthy of someone’s love or friendship?

To be honest, I rarely feel this way. I don’t think one person is more worthy than any other. Lots of people are better off than I am, but that doesn’t make them better than I am. Thus, I go into most relationships feeling I have as much value as the next person.  One of the rare exceptions is a dear friend I met a long time ago. Her goodness is so authentic that I feel unworthy to be in her orbit. Yet, her purity is too captivating to pass up. Fortunately, she has embraced me with her unconditional love and acceptance. 

Have you ever felt unworthy of God’s love? Does this cause you to turn away from Him? 

None of us is good enough to be in God’s presence. His purity is in direct contrast to our uncleanness. This may make us feel uncomfortable, but it does not cause the Lord to turn away in disgust. God’s love is unconditional. His grace is not merit based. He accepts us knowing our brokenness. We are made worthy by our relationship with Him. 

"God our Savior and His overpowering love and kindness for humankind entered our world; He came to save us. It’s not that we earned it by doing good works or righteous deeds; He came because He is merciful.” (Titus 3:4-5 VOICE)

Responding to Christ

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1 NLT)

Gentiles from faraway countries came to Judea to worship the newborn Jesus. The three wise men from the east recognized the prophetic star. They traveled to Jerusalem with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Meanwhile, many who lived nearby were either unaware or apathetic of Christ in their midst. 

What are the barriers that prevent people from acknowledging Christ and responding to Him?

Preoccupation with worldly concerns can make us unresponsive to God. Insecurity or shame leads to distance between ourselves and the Divine. Pride and the desire to be in control can also get in the way of yielding to the Almighty. 

A lack of response conveys disinterest, rejection, and disrespect. This must be so hurtful to Jesus. When we are indifferent to Christ in our midst, we become spiritually desensitized. Disengaged and separated from God, we sink deeper into the muck of worldliness. 

Responsiveness to Christ is a learned behavior. It requires us to let go of preoccupations, insecurities, and pride. All barriers that separate us from God are sinful. Once we overcome these obstacles, we can draw near to Jesus. We can lean in and focus our attention on him. We can bow down and worship Him.