A Contemplative Poem for Instruction

“Send your light and your truth to guide me, to lead me to your holy mountain, to your home.” (Psalm 43:3 ERV)

The entire Book of Psalms, with its lyrical style, invites recitation and reflection. Some of the psalms have descriptions in their titles. Psalm 43 starts with the following notation in its title: ‘A contemplative poem for instruction.’ This statement of purpose immediately calls the reader to pay attention. Like a fine wine, these verses are meant to be rolled around in your mouth. Smell, sip, taste, breathe. Slow down. Appreciate the texture of each word. Savor the subtle notes of each phrase. Notice how you feel. Is there one word or phrase that stands out to you? Repeat it to yourself until you get the fullness of its meaning. Visualize the imagery. Paraphrase the words so they are digestible. Train your spiritual palette to recognize and enjoy every nuance of these verses. 

Lord, pour Your light and truth into me. Train me to appreciate the bright flavors, the subtle notes, the wisdom, and the insights. Reveal your truth to me in ways I can understand. Gently lead me along the right path that leads to Your holiness. 

Moving Forward

“So don’t be impatient for the Lord to act; keep moving forward steadily in his ways, and he will exalt you at the right time.” (Psalm 37:34 TPT)

Running is hard. It takes a while for the body to adapt to all the demands of this sport. Novice runners often get discouraged and quit. They look at the experienced runners who seem to cover the miles quickly and with relative ease. This can be more intimidating than inspiring. The truth is that most runners started off walking, then jogging, then running. They struggle through injuries, sickness, bad weather, and time pressures like everyone else. Yet, they press on, putting one step in front of the other. 

Life is complicated. Everyone struggles at different times with different issues. Some cope in private, while others reveal their pain. The urge to give in to discouragement is common. How do some manage to keep going even in the midst of trials, while others are sidelined? They patiently wait for the Lord to act. They are not expecting life to get easier, but they hope to develop the strength to advance steadily in God’s ways. Even though they can’t see the finish, they take the next step in the right direction. They focus on the progress, not on hindrances or failures. They trust God’s timing. They press on despite resistance. They move forward in faith, one step at a time.

Overpowering Light

“Life came into being because of him, for his life is light for all humanity.

And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom—the Light that darkness could not diminish.” (John 1:4-5 TPT)

We have a room with no windows. It can be pitch dark inside. But if we open the door, light streams in from the adjacent room which has windows. The reverse is not true. The darkness of the windowless room does not diminish the light of the room with windows.  

Light provides illumination. It helps us see, understand, and know. Darkness does the opposite. It causes us to stumble and fall. It leads to misunderstanding and ignorance. 

Christ provides light to all humanity. This Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom—the Light that darkness could not diminish.  Even the darkest soul is no match for this overpowering Light. 

“Then Jesus said, ‘I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.’” (John 8:12 TPT)

The Tempter

“I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.” (I Thessalonians 3:5 NLT)

Have you ever watched lions hunting for antelopes? Or a cat stalking a baby bird? Predatory animals observe their prey before chasing them down for the kill. They look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities. They try to separate them from the group and pounce on them when they are alone.

The Tempter works much like a predator. He looks for vulnerabilities. He preys on human weakness. He convinces us to depend on ourselves. This separates us from the protective sphere of God. When our confidence and hope are based on our own talents and circumstances, our faith atrophies from disuse. Like a lame animal, we become easy prey. The Tempter pounces on us and tears us down. 

“Be disciplined and stay on guard. Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone.” (1 Peter 5:8 VOICE)

Sydney

"Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV)

Our beloved dog, Sydney, died this weekend. She spent 4238 days on this earth. In that time, she brought joy to everyone that came into her life. She exuded goodness; she was consistently faithful; she loved unconditionally, and trusted unceasingly. Her presence brought our little family together. Her absence will create a void that cannot be filled. She didn’t play favorites. She made everyone feel special.  She taught us many lessons --about patience, loyalty, caring, and consistency. She lived her 11 years 7 months and 6 days being the best dog she could be. She fulfilled her purpose magnificently. During her last few hours of life, I sat by her side repeating the above verse: Well done good and faithful Syd; well done.

Home

“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” (Psalm 90:1 NLT)

The words home and house are often used interchangeably; however, they are not the same. A house is a structure, whereas home is a place of belonging and security.  These days, when we speak about houses, we think of buildings with a certain number of rooms, square footage, specific decor, appliances, etc. Houses are often showcases for displaying and storing stuff. For some, it is a place they return to after work, while for others, it doubles as both workplace and sleeping quarters. Some of us live alone, while others live with families. Some of us feel loved, respected, accepted, and safe with our families; others don’t. 

Ancient Israelites were nomads who lived in tents. As such, their idea of home was clearly different than a house.  For tent dwellers, home was neither a permanent location nor a structure. It was a place of refuge and shelter from the elements. The transient nature of their dwelling places reminded them to depend on a Higher power for security and stability.  

“He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 VOICE)

Lord, You are my home, my secret place of security and belonging. You are my habitation, my place of consolation. I am enshrouded by Your Spirit. I shall take refuge in the shelter of the Most High and be safe in the shadow of the Almighty. 

Intentional Living

“So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 TPT)

When I am cleaning my house, I tend to zone out by listening to music or podcasts. Vacuuming consumes a lot of time and energy, so I tend to do it hastily. I push the vacuum cleaner over every surface, moving from room to room, emptying the clear canister as it fills with dust and dog hair. I neglect to clean the less visible parts of the vacuum cleaner--the filters and the rolling brush. I know from experience that the vacuum works more efficiently if all the parts are free of debris. Yet, I am reluctant to take the extra time. Instead, I waste my energy pushing a vacuum cleaner that is working at less than full capacity. 

We hustle through our day, getting things done, checking off lists, and feeling accomplished. Outwardly, we look productive and successful. Inwardly, we are conscious that all is not well. There are parts of our soul that need attention. Entangled in worldly debris, we move through life with our spirits obstructed.  Ineffective busyness is as wasteful as hedonic dissipation.

Intentional living requires us to pause frequently, listen carefully, and make conscious adjustments. Both the interior and exterior, the visible and invisible are inspected closely and frequently. Every aspect of our day is considered deliberately, every habit evaluated thoughtfully. Spiritual attentiveness is key, for it is essential for understanding and true wisdom. Thus, let us live intentionally and honorably, utilizing our time, energy, and attention for God’s purposes.

Encouraging the Discouraged

“We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2 NLT) 

Courage enables us to face difficulties bravely. Despondency saps our spirits, depriving us of hope. What are the usual ways we try to encourage those who are discouraged? We remind them of their strengths, offer them our support, and assure them of future success. Basically, we tell them some version of: “You are good; you can do it.” During times of personal discouragement, we try similar tactics of positive self-talk to pump ourselves up. This temporary boost can keep us afloat for a while. Yet, it’s like replacing a flat tire with a miniature spare--it is inefficient in the long-term. 

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11 NLT)

Praising God is far more effective at inspiring a dispirited individual than personal affirmations. Remember that God is good, dependable, capable, faithful, caring, available, strengthening, sovereign, all-knowing, understanding, compassionate. We are all called to be cheerleaders of faith, reviving spirits, empowering the weak, emboldening the hopeless. Thus, let us continually strengthen and encourage each other with exhortations of praise.

Waymaker

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.” (Isaiah 43:16 NLT)

Are you at an impasse?

Are you facing a problem with no good solution?

Are you feeling hopeless, confused, overwhelmed, scared?

Have you exhausted all your resources?

Fortunately, our God is the: 

Waymaker

Miracle Worker

Promise Keeper

Light in the darkness

(Lyrics from Waymaker by Sirach)

Impossible situations are God’s specialty. Why? It is when we get to the end of our rope that we let go and yield to His power.  The Lord can make a way where there seems to be no way. He makes dry paths through raging waters. 

We don’t always recognize the Lord working in our midst. Why not?  Because He doesn’t always do things according to our expectations. We want quick, neat solutions. We want our needs met, obstacles removed, sickness healed, prayers answered, and future secured. We want to feel protected, comforted, loved, and cherished. And, we want all of these favors for our loved ones too. 

God is a waymaker, but His paths are not always smooth and paved. 

He is a miracle worker, but He cannot be managed. 

He is a promise keeper, but His timing is unknowable. 

He is a light in the darkness, but He can’t be switched on and off. 

God’s ways are mysterious. We cannot always sense it or make sense of it. Yet, He is trustworthy. Thus, let us walk confidently along the path that He makes, taking each step in faith, even though we can’t see the end. 

Post-life Perspective

“This will provide a beautiful foundation for their lives and secure for them a great future, as they lay their hands upon the meaning of true life.” (1 Timothy 6:19 TPT)

Mark and George are coworkers. They have a lot in common: both are Christian, middle-aged, married, fathers. Yet, they are currently absorbed by different pursuits. Mark’s mind is focused on his stock investments. In order to maximize his profits, he has to be attentive to the gyrations of the market and the speculations of other investors. George, on the other hand, has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. You would expect he would be worried about finances, his kid’s future, and all the things left undone on his bucket list, but he isn’t. His outlook has completely changed in the last year.  On the days that he is well enough to focus, he is occupied by long-term concerns. In fact, George seems more at peace than Mike.  

“Feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.” (Colossians 3:2 TPT)

A post-life perspective is difficult for those who are enmeshed in the distractions of the natural realm. As long as we are preoccupied by acquisitions, achievements, and amusements, we remain earthbound. We cannot fix our eyes on things unseen. The treasures of the heavenly realm are within our reach. However, as long as we continue grasping at worldly pleasures, we are not free to set our minds on things above. In order to lay our hands on the meaning of true life, we have to let go of our will and yield to Grace. 

Doing Less

“A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life.” (2 Timothy 2:4 GNB)

When I was pregnant, I gained weight so fast that it prompted my obstetrician to ask me what I had been eating. I assured him that I had been eating only healthy food. He suggested I eat less of it! 

My days are filled with the hustle and bustle of interesting activities, productive projects, and opportunities to serve.  I enjoy feeling useful, so I rarely refuse to participate in good causes. Once I commit to something, especially if it involves others, I make space for it. This means that many other things that are important to me get squished into smaller, inconvenient slots. 

Open-ended time with God is a luxury that I prize. A full day--where I can be still, listen, follow the guidance of the Spirit, write, and pray--is a rare commodity. My desire to feel useful and productive leads me into energy-consuming entanglements. Distractions further drain my time. I forget that I am an active soldier. I have been commissioned to serve Christ. I need to be careful not to get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. I am already committed to a job far more significant. I have to remain dedicated, undistracted, and steadfast. 

Teacher Education

“Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT)

A good teacher is not only knowledgeable about the subject being taught, but also knows how to skillfully convey the information in ways that students of all abilities understand. Educators of teachers have an even more complex job. First of all, they have to be good instructors themselves. Secondly, they have to help others develop teaching skills. 

Discipleship involves a complex set of responsibilities. First of all, we are all students who seek to know God. We read, listen, contemplate, practice, and apply what we learn. We are also tasked with teaching truths that we have gleaned to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to new students. 

When you recognize truth, do you feel a tugging in your soul? That sense of conviction is your calling. Pay attention. Allow yourself plenty of time to soak in God’s presence. Then, express, teach, share the glorious Good News. 

The Joy of Teaching

“We not only eagerly shared with you God’s good news, but we also shared with you our own lives.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8 VOICE)

There are few things as satisfying as learning a new concept and teaching it to another person who is interested. Over the last few decades, I have taught a variety of subjects to children and adults. As a teacher, you have to spend time educating yourself first. A surplus of knowledge is necessary before you can pass it on to your students. Recently, I got certified as a running coach. A running coach does not have to be faster than the athlete in training. Coaches observe, analyze, guide, and encourage students.  While teaching is more about conveying information, coaching involves unlocking potential. Good teachers and coaches have some things in common: they are eager to empower their students, they are passionate about what they do, and they share their joy and their lives with others. 

The Apostles were gospel teachers. They couldn’t help but share the Good News. They taught what they learned from Jesus--despite opposition, undeterred by conflict. Many of us are called to continue their example--to be joy coaches who study and pass on the Good News. We are given the privilege of letting people know that God is accessible and intimate. We get to be witnesses as the Spirit is unlocked within the soul. We are eager to empower everyone and share our joy and our lives with others. 

Uphill Battles

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” (Psalm 18:29 NLT)

Running up a hill is much more difficult than running on a flat surface. This is due to the force of gravity which pulls us down to earth’s center. Cyclists know to change gears as they ride up hills. Runners, on the other hand, just ‘attack the hills’--which basically amounts to trying harder. Expending more energy may get you up a hill faster, but it is not efficient. Runners need to ‘switch gears’--be mentally focused, recruit different muscles, change posture, decrease stride length, and increase cadence. There are many hills in a long distance race; thus, efficiency of movement becomes critical over time. The goal is to finish well. 

The lessons of running can be useful in our daily lives. We all know how it feels to face uphill battles--mountains of adversity, obstacles, and opposition. As we try to scale new heights, the gravity of worldliness pulls us down. How we approach the climb is critical. We can either try harder, or we can switch gears. The latter is more efficient. Instead of relying on our own strength, we can access God’s power. We can change our posture, focus, attitude, and perspective. There are many hills to overcome in a lifetime, and with God we shall advance through every stronghold and finish the race well. 

Making an Impact

“Simply be the example they need to see by being faithful and true in all that you do. Speak the truth and live a life of purity and authentic love as you remain strong in your faith.” (1 Timothy 4:12 TPT)

Winter has settled in around Iowa. Snow and ice cover everything. Most days, the temperature remains below the freezing point, so the ice doesn’t melt. For a runner, this type of weather is discouraging since slippery roads can lead to falls and injuries. Thus, I am always on the lookout for any signs of change. Today I noticed a dried leaf on the edge of a pile of snow. It had absorbed enough of the sun’s warmth to melt about a millimeter of the ice around it. I stopped to take a picture, because it spoke to me.

All of us hope to leave a positive impact on this world. We hope our legacy is significant--a sign that our life mattered. Contributions by celebrities are often more publicized than those who are not famous. Thus, ordinary acts of kindness by obscure individuals may go unnoticed; yet, they are no less meaningful. Not everyone has the opportunity to influence millions of people, but we can be good examples to those in our immediate vicinity. Like a dry leaf on the edge of a pile of snow, we can absorb the Son’s light and warmth and affect our surroundings. Virtues of purity, authenticity, and honesty always leave an imprint. We can be faithful in all that we do, speaking truth, showing kindness, extending grace. Our impact may seem miniscule, but it can be deeply transformative to those who are touched by our lives. 

Past Glory

“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.” (Ephesians 1:17 TPT)

Do you feel like you are past your prime? Are your best days behind you? Or could they still be ahead? 

Most of us who are ‘older’ think our glory days are behind us. Thus, we tend to dwell in the past--recounting victories, pining losses, reminiscing about the good old days, and regretting bygone mistakes. We try to hang on to vestiges of youth and vitality through natural and artificial methods.  Although there are many ways to delay physical and mental decline, eventually all humans succumb to the aging process. 

“Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 48:28-19 TPT)

The beauty and strength of youth cannot hold a candle to what is available to us in Christ. The Father of glory is working in us, imparting spiritual wisdom and revelation as we deepen our intimacy with Him. He is doing something brand new, something unimaginable. Even though we can’t always recognize it, we are growing and evolving. God is blazing trails through the wilderness, channeling streams of grace into the aridness. The  days of youthful sparkle are perhaps over. Yet, for those who operate under the power of God’s infinite glory, the best days are still ahead. 

Source of Support

“Your strength will support me.” (Psalm 139:10 NLT)

When applying for a student visa, candidates have to present a letter of support confirming access to the necessary funds to meet their financial needs while in the host country. This affidavit shows the income, savings, and other assets owned by the student’s parents and other close relatives who have promised aid. Obviously, a parent’s assurance of support carries more weight than that of a distant relative. 

“Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.” (Psalm 55:22 TPT)

Our Father in Heaven has unlimited resources. The Scriptures are His letters of support. This world is not our own; we are merely here to learn and grow. We can confidently live in this host country with the assurance that our Father will support all our needs. Thus, let us leave all our cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord and wait for His measureless grace to strengthen us. 

Collaborative Projects

“Finish what you started in me, God.” (Psalm 138:8 MSG)

A few years ago, I decided to get serious about running. I hired a coach, bought new gear, read books about the sport, and kept meticulous training records. My speed and endurance improved, but not as much as my coach would have liked. The coach’s confidence in me exceeded my own dedication. Subsequently, my progress plateaued somewhere between his plans for me and my expectations for myself. 

God creates each of us with a purpose. We might not be able to comprehend God’s vision, and His expectations may seem unreasonable. Yet, cooperation and trust are essential. Growth is a collaborative project that involves personal obedience and Divine faithfulness. Our dedication must align with God’s expectations. God will not give up on us halfway. He finishes what He starts. He will work out His plans for our lives. 

“I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you.” (Philippians 1:6 TPT)

Worship Charades

“Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:17 MSG)

A gym is a good place for observing people. Other than the obvious physical differences in those who show up, it is interesting to watch what people do while they are there. Many gym members fall into these broad categories: Trendy Dressers, Selfie-Takers, Groups of Friends, Serious Fitness Buffs, Slackers, Spectators, and Socializers. How they spend their time and energy reveals their motivations and priorities. 

Similarly, a church is a good place to observe people. Many church attendees fall into the following broad categories: Habitual Christians, Committee Members, Social Cliques, Holiday Drop-ins, and Committed Disciples of Christ. The famous preacher Billy Graham once commented that he thought only about 10 percent of all regularly attending church members were actually Christians! 

“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games:

Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings... (Isaiah 1:13 MSG)

The majority of church-goers are busy playing worship charades and other religious games. They mistakenly think that checking attendance boxes and being active in church-sponsored events is a sign of holiness. True followers of Christ can be identified by their behavior: They say no to wrong, learn to do good, work for justice, help the down-and-out, stand up for the homeless, and go to bat for the defenseless. Their motivations and priorities align with what the gospels teach and how Jesus lived. 

Spiritual Somnolence

“Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!” (Ephesians 5:14 TPT)

Coffee is an integral part of my morning ritual. I cradle the warm cup in my hands while I wait for the caffeine to kick in. I can feel my mind waking up. The lights turn on, the windows are open, and fresh insights stream in. On the rare days that I skip this routine, I tend to remain drowsy and get headaches later in the day. I have learned not to make any major decisions or plans before my first cup of coffee. 

I have another morning ritual that is even more significant: I ask God’s Spirit to stream through me, to get me ready to do His will. I wait for His guidance. I pray for attentiveness, courage, and strength. On the days that I skip this practice, I can sense a spiritual somnolence. I remain unaware, distracted, busy--but achieving nothing of enduring value. Thus, I have learned not to make any plans or do any tasks until I have submitted myself to the Lord. 

“How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day. Have courage, for the Eternal is all that I will need. My soul boasts, ‘Hope in God; just wait.’” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT)