Creativity as Therapy

“The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.” (Exodus 35:35 NLT)

Each of us is given unique areas of instinctual gifts. Musicians, painters, writers, app developers, architects, gardeners, chefs, activists, speakers, poets--all have learned to draw from deep wells of inspiration.  Creative expression promotes wellness and boosts self-esteem. Making something new stirs something within us. This can feel transformative and restorative at the same time.

When we are unwell, creativity slumps. Physical exhaustion and emotional heaviness can be draining. When our spirits need recharging, the motivation to propel ourselves out of the pit is unfortunately missing. During these times, finding small creative tasks can be therapeutic. This can be as simple as adding one new ingredient to a familiar recipe or writing a haiku or arranging wildflowers in a glass jar. If you are naturally gifted in music, perhaps you can hum a new melody or write lyrics to a new song. Whatever your talent, working within your area of expertise can feel empowering. Like recharging a dead battery in a car, a little spark of energy can be enough to get moving.  Once you get started, you need to keep going for a while to maintain the charge. 

Creativity helps us to gain fresh insights that add value. It helps us to experience the world in new, original ways. Curiosity and imagination are integral. The risk of failure is a given. Creativity stimulates our mind, motivating us to grow. Lethargic spirits become recharged. Souls are energized. Apathy is replaced by passion. Creativity allows us to feel, know, and express what is within ourselves--thus allowing the invisible to become visible. 

Laughter Therapy

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (Proverbs 17:22 NLT)

Broken bones may require immobilization or surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture. It takes a great deal of time for broken bones to heal. The pain may disappear long before the bones can handle the stress of normal activity. Prolonged disuse may lead to muscle atrophy. After the prescribed recovery period, physical therapy can promote strength and flexibility. 

A broken spirit is much more complicated. There are no visible fractures or diagnostic tests to confirm what is happening. There are no surgeries to fix the problem. The pain resurges unpredictably. It’s hard to know if and when you can return to being a functional human being. Prolonged periods of melancholy can lead to generalized apathy. This can sap a person’s strength and energy. 

After taking time for grieving, laughter can be helpful in treating a broken spirit. Sensitivity, timing, and dosage are critical. There is an appropriate time and place for jokes. Cheerfulness cannot be forced from within or without. Things that make one person smile might not have any effect on another person. Finding what animates your spirit and allowing yourself moments of therapeutic laughter can promote emotional healing.

Toxic Berries

“They spout empty words

    and make covenants they don’t intend to keep.

So injustice springs up among them

    like poisonous weeds in a farmer’s field.” (Hosea 10:4 NLT) 

There is a strange plant in my garden that I cannot identify. It puts out attractive white flowers in the spring and then little berries in the summer. I took pictures of the plant and tried to search for its name online. I sent pictures to my friends who are gardeners. No one knew what it was. I finally sent the picture to an expert in botany. In a few minutes, she identified it as a Portuguese cherry laurel. Although the fruits look appealing, and the name is similar to edible cherries, the fruits of this ornamental plant are toxic if ingested. 

Similarly, certain relationships that appear interesting at first can turn out to be harmful. Identifying these characters can be complicated. They say all the right things that others want to hear.  They project personas that are often attractive, engaging, and caring. However, the words they spout are empty and insincere. They do not intend to keep the commitments they make. Their lustrous image conceals envy, selfish ambition, and chaos. Be careful not to ingest anything they offer. Their influence can be toxic. 

Shelter in God

“If you make the Lord your refuge, If you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.” (Psalm 91:9-10 NLT)

According to epidemiologists, one of the ways to slow the spread of COVID 19 is to shelter in your place of residence. Before the pandemic, I used to associate being away from home with activity, productivity, and fun. The house was where you came to sleep when you were tired. It was where you stored your stuff and did dreary chores. It was not the most exciting place. 

Over the last few months, I have learned to appreciate my home more. It provides my family with seclusion, safety, quiet, and comfort. I  cook, read, write, talk, play music, connect with friends online, call relatives, do projects around the house, clean, contemplate, and pray. Now I see my home as a sanctuary of rest and restoration. Surrounding the house, there is a big yard that grants me access to private outdoor space. I have enough space to grow some food. I can go outside whenever I feel the need for fresh air and sunlight. I can watch birds, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks from the kitchen window. I have more than I need. 

The practice of sheltering at home has also allowed me to see the verses of Psalm 91 in a different light. I used to think that finding shelter in God was restrictive and dull. It was not a space I wanted to remain in too long. I just wanted enough divine guidance to go into the world and accomplish everything that I wanted.  Yet, now I sense that God is much more expansive than I imagined. He provides me with more than I need. In Him, I am revived and restored. He is my sanctuary, my place of safety. As long as I make the Lord my shelter--no evil will conquer me, no plague will come near. 

Hypocrisy Sandwiches

“Insincere talk that hides what you are really thinking is like a fine glaze on a cheap clay pot. A hypocrite hides hate behind flattering words. They may sound fine, but don't believe him, because his heart is filled to the brim with hate.” (Proverbs 26:23-26 GNTA)

 The food industry does a great deal of research into how to lure consumers into buying their products. Restaurants that sell sandwiches have figured out that customers will pay more for visually appealing sandwiches with even one unique ingredient. A thin layer of chili-mayo, gouda cheese, or pickled apples can allow sellers to mark up the prices because consumers imagine they are getting something special. These inexpensive additions can significantly increase the profit margins for restaurants. 

All of this sandwich engineering reminds me of the compliment sandwich technique. This is a popular form of feedback where a layer of criticism is sandwiched in between two compliments.  I have noticed a different version of this product being served as well. I call it the hypocrisy sandwich.  It can be layered with a combination of many ingredients: denial, flattery, polished words, puffery, baloney, fawning, contempt, shame, rapport, belittling, mockery, politeness, ribbing, ingratiation, persuasion, etc. These ingredients are customized based on individual predilections. Whatever makes the insincerity attractive and palatable may be used. Now, whether you buy and consume a hypocrisy sandwich is up to you.  Just recognize it for what it is before you accept it--someone trying to sell you a bill of goods. 

Meditation in Writing

“Pay attention to all the words I am telling you.

    Lean in closer so you may hear all I say.

Keep them before you; meditate on them;

    set them safely in your heart.

For those who discover them, they are life.

    They bring wholeness and healing to their bodies.” 

(Psalm 4:20-22 VOICE)

I would like to be more focused and mindful, but I am easily distracted. Even though I know this about myself, I do not protect my mind from the myriad of diversions that surround me. In fact, I seek them out. Instead of focusing on one task, I multitask. Instead of enjoying one pleasure, I indulge in juggling several amusements at the same time. As I am typing this, I have five windows open on my laptop. This is what my mind looks like too...constantly perusing. I invested in this practice of multitasking, imagining that it would increase my efficiency--but it has resulted in diminishing returns. Feeding this addiction has further dissipated my concentration, reduced my productivity, and shunted my creativity. 

 

I have read that meditation can increase awareness and attention. I have tried different kinds: breathing meditations (where you focus on the natural rhythm of your breath), mantra meditations (where you repeat a word), moving meditations (focusing on the movement of your body while walking, running, gardening, yoga), guided meditations (where another person talks you through the process), etc. While all of these methods have helped to some degree, my favorite form of meditation is writing meditation. 

I use meditation writing in two different ways. Sometimes I have an idea that needs further processing, but I don’t want to dwell on that thought during meditation. I write down a reminder word or phrase so that I can stay mindful of the present. This feels like tying a weight on a helium balloon so it doesn’t drift off into the sky. By taking a few seconds to jot down a word, I free my mind from getting side-tracked.  The second method of meditation writing I practice is free writing. I take twenty calming breaths. Then I scribble down whatever comes into my mind for ten minutes. I do not edit. I do not try to make sense. I do not even write full sentences. After the ten minutes are over, I read out loud what I have written. This part feels uncomfortable for me, yet the daily patterns have been revealing. My written meditations are often worded in the form of prayer. I ask for wisdom. I listen with my heart. I pay attention to every random word.  I let it all wash over my soul. I come away feeling clean, whole, and healed. 

Rooted in Faith

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7 NLT)

My English ivy was getting long and leggy, so I knew it was time to replant it. I cut the vine at the leaf nodules, stuck them in water for a few days, and then transplanted them in a container full of potting soil. I placed the container on a windowsill and waited. Months later, some of the cuttings looked shriveled, while others looked like they might live. I gently tugged at the withered vines. Just as I suspected, they had not developed roots. I am unsure why some of the transplants took root while others did not. 

I have noticed a similar parallel in faith. There are those who were raised with knowledge of God and others who recognized His presence later in life. There are those who embrace religion and others who are disillusioned by it. There are those who have an intimate connection with the Divine and those who keep their distance. 

When we are rooted in Christ, our lives are grounded in Him. We experience the depth of His love. Our faith grows strong as we absorb truth. We are continually infused with encouragement. Our hearts overflow with gratitude. We are made complete with the fullness of God. The Spirit thrives.

The Reason for Courage

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

According to the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” I am deeply familiar with anxiety. Recurring, intrusive thoughts permeate my mind. Over the years, I have figured out a few coping mechanisms for my disordered thoughts--one of which I call the ‘it could be worse’ technique. I take my natural tendency to leap to worst case scenarios, and I work backwards from this point. For example, if I am anxious about my back pain, I tell myself: it could be worse...I am not paralyzed...at least I can still move and function. Although it provides some temporary relief, this method is not a long-term solution. 

Anxiety is the emotion we feel when facing a problem that is beyond our strength to conquer. It is similar to encountering a large boulder in our path. We try to find a way around it, or find little crevices in the rock so we can get a grip and climb over it, or maybe find a tool to chip away at it until the encumbrance becomes manageable. Our natural coping mechanisms usually involve minimizing the issue in some way so as to feel some control over the situation. We tell ourselves: Fear not, for the problem is not so bad. 

The reason for courage cannot be based on our mastery of the problem, BUT in knowing God as Master. This understanding does not come passively. A shift in perspective requires active trust, deep contemplation, and radical acceptance. Instead of diminishing the seriousness of the problem at hand, we need to change our frame of reference. We have to trust God when He says: Fear not...for I am with you. 

God is with me. He is the Master in charge. He strengthens me. He is my helper. He upholds me with His goodness and might. 

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Where Is God?

“Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17 NLT)

The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament seem different to me in many ways. I should rephrase that. God has not changed, but human understanding of God seems to have evolved over time. In the books of the Old Testament, God seems distant, judgmental, authoritarian, and angry. In the New Testament, God lives with humans. He socializes with the poor and the marginalized. He intervenes in the life of the oppressed.  

These days, the world seems so messed up. Those with wealth, power, and influence get away with injustice, while the poor and the underprivileged continue to suffer. The gap of inequality has now become a chasm. These are times when I get frustrated and wonder: Where is the God of justice?

As always, God is near. Whether I can recognize His presence or not, He remains constant. My lack of understanding does not change Him. God is working within me, within others, within unfair systems. He teaches us how to  lift up the downtrodden, walk alongside those who struggle, amplify the voice of the powerless, and unshackle those who are oppressed. 

Waiting on the Spirit

“The LORD's spirit will rest on him--a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2 NET)

As a child, I loved butterflies. I used to sit still in sunny gardens, hoping they would land on me. I learned that I had to be quiet and alone for a long time before this could happen.  If they landed on my hair and I moved to get a better look, they would fly away. As I grew older, I no longer had time for these idle pursuits. I had school, homework, activities, friends, and a long list of goals. 

The lessons that I learned while waiting for butterflies have become useful to me once again. I have discovered the importance of silence, solitude, patience, and uninterrupted time when waiting for the Spirit of God. Any distraction, physical or mental, disturbs the presence of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, sparkling diversions are my weakness. I frequently get drawn out of a meditative state by the slightest sound, rogue thoughts,  and notifications on my phone. The desires to be productive, to feel useful, and to get things done pull me away as well. I am trapped in the echo chamber that is this world. The noise shatters my reverie. 

Lord, please teach me to be still once again, so that Your Spirit may rest upon me.  I yearn to know You. Awaken my slumbering soul. Grant me wisdom, understanding, insight, strength, fortitude, and patience. 

A Redeemed Life

“But as for me, God will redeem my life.” (Psalm 49:15 NLT)

A mortgage is a type of debt on real estate. The origin of the word ‘mortgage’ comes from two old French words--mort which means dead and gage which means pledge or contract. The ‘homeowner’ who has a mortgage is called a borrower, while the bank who provides the loan is called the lender. The title of ownership is transferred to the lender.  Until the final loan payment is made, the home technically belongs to the bank. When all outstanding debt is repaid in full, the mortgage is redeemed. 

There was a time when I imagined that my life belonged to me. This was a fallacy. I had mortgaged my life to the altar of worldly validation and societal expectation. I made payments diligently; yet, even after years, I still owed more than I could repay on my own. This realization made me turn to God for help. He redeemed my debt and set me free from bondage. Now, I live in the house of the Lord. My life belongs to Him. Everyone I love is under His care. My concerns are His, and His concerns are mine. My loving God has redeemed my soul, saving me from the powers of darkness. Selah.

A Life Nobly Lived

“Above all, set yourself apart as a model of a life nobly lived.” (Titus 2:7 TPT)

I am always on the lookout for role models who are further along on the pathways I hope to travel. I have found mentors for running, writing, parenting, gardening, learning, relationships, activism, etc. These folks are not experts or celebrities, but everyday people who are just a few steps ahead. If they are too far advanced, I cannot see how they manage the obstacles in their way.  These individuals inspire me to push the parameters of what I imagine is possible. They live what they preach and share their experiences and mistakes. 

I am constantly seeking contemporary, moral role models. The more I know humans, the more I recognize that we are all flawed in some way or another. Yet, there are some among us who strive to live nobly. They go out of their way to do what is right, even when it does not benefit them personally. They examine their own motives and remain honest with themselves. They speak the truth, even when it is unpopular. They treat every human with dignity. Every action is steeped in integrity. Even when surrounded by pollution, their lives reflect their inner purity. They are the shining examples whom I wish to emulate. 

Internal Dialogue

“Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” (Genesis 18:32 NLT)

Charlie is four years old. A few months ago, he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. The treatment for this disease weakens his immune system. Charlie’s parents are friends of our family. They have two other kids. They do everything they can to prevent exposing any of their family members to pathogens. This has become especially challenging during the pandemic. 

Every time I choose to leave my home, there is a chance that I will come in contact with someone who may be harboring COVID-19. I become an inadvertent vector who could potentially spread disease. While my household consists of healthy adults who could most likely recover from this serious illness, not everyone is as lucky. Before the pandemic, I never thought about this issue. I figured if someone were immunocompromised, it was their responsibility to stay isolated. I didn’t think about their siblings, parents, and other caretakers who may have no choice but to work, go to school, pick up groceries, or travel to hospitals in other cities. I didn’t see any reason to limit my lifestyle for the sake of others.

These days, when I am deciding whether to go out of my house for a non-essential activity, I have the following dialogue with myself: What if I could save ten people from infection by skipping this outing? Would it be worth it? What if one of those people had a relative who was immunocompromised? What if I could save one life by sacrificing my desires for one month? Would it be worth it? What if that one life is Charlie’s?

This inner dialogue empowers me to be disciplined about my choices. While I can sometimes be cavalier about my own well-being, I am much more likely to do what is morally right when I think that it has an impact on others, especially children. This new way of thinking is one of the changes I have experienced lately. I am thankful for the grace of compassion, insight, and self-control. 

Burdens of Sorrow

“My soul is deeply troubled, and my heart can’t bear the weight of this sorrow. I feel so close to death. I’m like the poor and helpless who die alone.” (Psalm 88:3-4 VOICE)

As the Covid-19 virus surges through communities, there are many who are upset about the restrictions placed on their daily routines. I understand the fear of economic collapse, but I have trouble empathizing with those who insist on congregating in bars, restaurants, or any other indoor spaces for nonessential purposes. 

My heart is deeply burdened for women giving birth during this time. The normal anxieties of a new mother are magnified by fear of the unknown. Birthing partners, healthcare workers, and other visitors are limited during labor and delivery. Often the mother and child are separated after birth if there is any suspicion of infection. 

My heart is deeply burdened for those with loved ones who are sick with serious illnesses. Those who are immunocompromised but still have to get regular treatment in hospital settings must feel incredibly vulnerable now. In addition to all the normal struggles that we all face, these families have to deal with keeping their loved ones safe and taking care of them in these precarious times. 

My heart is deeply burdened for those dying with the Covid-19 virus. For many of these patients, the fear of dying alone is worse than the suffering that accompanies the disease. Most patients are not allowed visitors. Families plead with healthcare workers to stay with their loved ones during their last minutes of life. Often this is not possible, because the hospitals are overflowing with the sick and dying. Those who die alone are the truly helpless. 

My soul is overwhelmed by the burden of these sorrows. 

Memorials

“God’s works are so great, worth 

A lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!

Splendor and beauty mark is his craft;

His generosity never gives out.

His miracles are his memorial--

This God of Grace, this God of Love.” (Psalm 111:2-4 MSG)

The topic of monuments and memorials is currently part of the national discourse. Depending on your perspective, a certain historical statue might be worthy of reverence or disdain. These ideological battles over symbols are frivolous. As far as I am concerned, there are much more pressing matters that need attention. 

How do we memorialize our loved ones? We remember their attributes and contributions, share memories, write down their words, and celebrate their virtues.  Will future generations be able to appreciate the person we love to the same extent as we do? Probably not. Despite the presence of a large headstone in a cemetery and annual ceremonies to honor my dead grandfather, I have no recollection of him. He died when I was an infant. Everything I know about my grandfather is from the memories of other relatives who experienced life with him. And my grandfather’s garden--a small plot in the backyard of the old ancestral home. He planted a variety of fruit trees that his grandkids were able to enjoy. 

The God of Grace surrounds us in a sphere of splendor and beauty. His love is evident in nature. His miracles are His memorial. His work is unforgettable. Every generation gets to enjoy His generosity. God’s depth is worth a lifetime of study. His revelations are mysterious and marvelous. Remembering Him fills our hearts with gratitude. To appreciate God is to experience Him. To experience Him is to know Him. To know Him is to revere Him.  

Entwined for Eternity

"I'm after love--Not more religion. I want you to know God. Not go to more prayer meetings." (Hosea 6:6 MSG)

Wrestling is a popular sport in our area. The school gym is packed with parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and neighbors during wrestling meets. The spectators on the bleachers are there to cheer and support the athletes as they wrestle. Most of them have other stuff to occupy their time as they sit on the sidelines--smartphones, tablets, homework, knitting, etc. Unlike the spectators, the wrestlers on the mat are intensely focused. They feel the pain of twisting limbs, the sweat trickling down their brows. They are aware of each second that passes. They are committed to the task at hand. 

The spiritual practices that I have followed up to this point in my life now feel ill-fitting. Either I have grown, or the rituals have shrunk. I feel like a spectator on the sidelines of faith, occupied by distractions--nominally present. 

Lord, how do I get back to knowing and loving you? What do YOU want from me? What do I want from YOU?

God wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us. He wants us to know Him. We are created with a need to feel understood. This deep knowing is like wrestling--both exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. This is not a spectator sport that can be enjoyed from the sidelines. We cannot read a page of scripture or attend a prayer meeting and then go on about life as usual. A commitment to truth must become central while lifestyle concerns become peripheral. This level of deep knowing requires intense, focused attention. It is a merging of love, faithfulness, constancy, intimacy.

Into me see

I open up to thee

Immersed in each other

Entwined for eternity.

Conscious of My Sin

 “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too.” (Luke 15:21 VOICE)

Old homes in humid areas can often have mold issues. Moisture accumulation on porous surfaces creates an ideal environment for mold spores to grow and spread. Once established, mold removal can be difficult. When we lived in Houston, Texas, I noticed many homeowners would accept mold in their bathrooms and laundry rooms as inevitable. Home sellers and landlords would just whitewash over the problem with a coat of paint. Home buyers and renters probably knew there was mold under the surface, but as long as it looked decent, most everyone was willing to overlook the problem.

“We choose to stay ignorant by looking away and finding comfort in a perspective where we are not the problem.” (Danielle Powell)

Until recently, I thought of myself as a decent human being. I was aware that I had some flaws, but I had learned to camouflage them in justifications. After all, everyone had issues. Over the last few months, I have become deeply conscious of the mold under the surface of my public persona. I have had to face the ugliness within me--my desire to hang on to the advantages I have, even if that is disadvantageous for others. Thus far, I have glossed over my sinful thoughts by believing and repeating narratives that allow me to continue the status quo and maintain my privileged status. 

Like the prodigal son, I am now jarringly aware of my sinfulness. I can no longer hide it. I can sincerely pray: I am a sinner. I have done terrible wrongs in God’s sight. I want to change. I don’t know how. I cannot do it on my own. Lord, please help me.

“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2 NIV)

Sabbatical Phases

“Sow your land for six years and gather in its crops, but in the seventh year leave it alone and give it a rest so that your poor may eat from it. What they leave, let the wildlife have.” (Exodus 23:11 MSG)

In the last few months, there has been a tremendous downturn in both the global health and economy. Productivity and consumption have been reduced as many people work remotely or are unemployed. Even essential workers spend less as their incomes are reduced. The future feels uncertain for everyone, but the poorest of the poor suffer most. 

Is there anything positive that can come from this period of inevitable unproductivity? 

The Bible prescribes sabbatical years where the land remains fallow. It is time to reset and restore. Unlike other biblical regulations, this one has been completely ignored as having no value in modern times. Why? We live in an era where monetary profit, by any means necessary, is held up as the goal.  The poor are seen as lazy. Unproductivity is deemed evil. Busy-ness is confused with business--even when it is inessential. 

Perhaps we can use this time to rethink our priorities, reevaluate what really matters. This time of retreat, if used thoughtfully, could bring us clarity. I, for one, have been doing the uncomfortable work of cleaning my mental closets--which have been filled with beliefs and habits that are no longer useful. Now that I have fewer distractions than before, I have more time to confront these predispositions. There is loss and grief. There is illness and instability. There is anxiety and uncertainty. Yet, even during these fallow phases of life, when I feel vulnerable and restless, I allow God to teach me what I need to learn and guide me in the direction I need to go. 

A Life Worth Living

“Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,

Here’s what you do: say nothing evil or hurtful; snub evil and cultivate good.” (1 Peter 3:10 MSG)

As the pandemic tides continue to wash over the world, my family has made peace with the new normal. My husband, a physician, goes to work at the hospital. Other than this essential work, we have been sheltering in place for the last four months. There was a period of grief and loss while I reevaluated my previous habits and lifestyle. I miss hugging my friends, group runs, browsing at the library, and picking out my own groceries. Many of the activities that filled my life with pleasure, amusement, and excitement now seem outdated. However, not everyone feels this way. There are many who long for the ‘before times’--when we could eat in restaurants, travel, shop, gather in our homes with friends and extended family, and congregate in stadiums. We have difficulty imagining that a life devoid of these activities can be worth living. This has led me to contemplate the following question: 

What makes life worth living? 

From a materialistic point of view, a successful life is filled with achievements, wealth, power, status, influence, popularity, accumulation of possessions, attractive appearance, and others to validate our significance. From a spiritual perspective, a worthwhile life is one that snubs evil and cultivates good. This requires a great deal of contemplation. Materialism is like an invasive weed that chokes out spiritual growth. It leaves very little soil for nourishing our inner being. Is life worth living if we experience every pleasure this world has to offer while our souls wither away?

The Sin of Prejudice

“When you show prejudice you commit sin and you violate this royal law of love!” (James 2:9 TPT)

I like dogs. I am partial to golden retrievers, because I am familiar with this breed. I have minimal experience with other types of dogs. I have read that certain breeds can be more aggressive than others. One of my neighbors owns several boxers. These dogs often bark and chase after me when I run by their yard, so I have changed my running route to avoid that area.  Recently, some new neighbors moved into a house on a different street nearby. As I ran by their home, I spotted two large boxers. My heart was filled with fear. I did not know if these dogs were aggressive, but I assumed they were, based on my preconceived notions about this breed. I had pre-judged them. These dogs turned out to be calm and well-mannered. My prejudice was misplaced. 

Prejudice is any preconceived opinion, either favorable or unfavorable, about a person who belongs to a certain group. Guessing someone’s character--based on the color of his skin, the texture of his hair, the language he speaks, the clothes he wears--is a sign of mental laziness. Yes, it takes some time and effort to figure out each person individually. Yes, it would be easier to stick with our own kind. Yes, it is uncomfortable to place ourselves in environments where we feel vulnerable. However, prejudice is a sin that is just as serious as murder or adultery. We cannot claim to love Christ and practice discrimination by our thoughts, words, actions, or inactions. 

Humility and Self-loathing

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” ( Psalm 139:14 NLT)

When I was a teenager, a friend of mine bought a used car for $500. She was really excited about it since it was her first car. The tires were bald, the body had dents and scratches, and the engine made strange noises. It looked like a piece of junk, but I didn’t have the heart to point that out. She must have read my mind, because she said: “I know it needs some work, but my dad can fix anything.” I didn’t know her dad, but I took her at her word.  Her confidence in her dad’s ability to turn this situation around influenced my perspective as well. Suddenly, I could see the car as a piece of junk with potential to be a serviceable vehicle. 

We are all broken, sinful, and in need of restoration. However, in the absence of faith, insecurities can sour into self-hate--which can then lead to bitterness and despair.  Humility allows us to acknowledge our flaws and inadequacies. Trust in God grants us a fresh perspective. Our focus shifts from our imperfections to our Father’s ability to fix anything. We are wonderfully complex beings--created and restored by the most marvelous hands. We shall remain works in progress throughout our lifetimes, because we have a God who never gives up on us. 

Humility and Honor

“Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.” (Proverbs 18:12 NLT)

Military parades have long been used by autocratic leaders to show off their might. Tanks rolling down public streets, aircraft flyovers, marching soldiers who turn to salute dictators--these scenes are common in totalitarian regimes, but rare in democratic countries. However, on July 4th, 2019, a similar military parade was ordered by the U.S. President. At an estimated cost of over five million dollars, this extravaganza was meant to be a display of power. A year later, most people have completely forgotten about this expensive event. 

Self-aggrandizement usually brings ridicule, not respect. Attention-seeking behavior may lead to notoriety, but not honor. Virtue, modesty, integrity, and dignity are signs of nobility. Those who are confident rarely resort to puffery.

Scriptures teach us that haughtiness goes before destruction, and humility precedes honor. Self-indulgence and hubris caused the fall of humanity. Christ’s sacrificial love restored us to a state of grace. As followers of Christ, let us follow humbly in His footsteps--exalting God, not ourselves.