Flowering Crosses

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT)

On a particularly gloomy day, I went out for a walk in the rain. On the way back into the house, I noticed a bud on my maple tree. It was bright red in color. The next day, I went in for a closer look and took a picture. When I zoomed in, the bud looked like a flowering cross. 

I sent the image to a friend, expecting nothing more than an emoji in response.  Instead, she replied: Ask God what He wants you to know special about Him from this work of art. 

As I sat meditating on the image, here are a few thoughts that came to me:

Martyrdom is no longer considered honorable. Acceptance of suffering seems passive and submissive. And it makes no sense to yield to pain willingly. 

The cross represents suffering, sacrificial love, and resurrection. There is potential for beauty and growth in adversity, but pain can blind us to this possibility. 

The final transformation may look nothing like we expect or desire. The timing may be too far in the future to see any connection. God can bring good out of affliction, but the changes may go unnoticed. 

Carrying Crosses

“As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26 ISB)

The cross represents the sacrificial love of Jesus. On the way to his crucifixion, Jesus carried His own cross most of the way. As Jesus stumbled from all the torture, the soldiers were unsure He would pass out or die before they got Him to the designated spot. So the soldiers picked Simon of Cyrene from the crowd and made him carry the cross for a bit. 

Now, most of us who claim to follow Christ would rather not carry His cross. I, for one, am NOT a fan of pain. Yet, I am starting to see that suffering is part of being a Christ follower. I think that suffering is much harder when I resist it. If I can recognize that there may be a Divine purpose in it, even if I can’t fully understand it, the cross becomes a tiny bit more bearable.  

Offensive Attack

“I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered.” (2 Samuel 22:38)

In the midst of spiritual battles, I always assume a defensive stance. My goal is to protect, preserve, and not get destroyed. I can’t imagine chasing evil. That sounds too scary. Thus far, I’ve been the kind of person who tries to make myself small so as to avoid getting on the enemy radar. At the most, I might fight back when backed into a corner with nowhere to hide. 

Until recently, I did not think of ever mounting an offensive attack in the spiritual realm. What would that even look like?

The Holy Spirit must take the lead in any spiritual fight. My role is to assist. An offensive attack involves reclaiming territory. I can imagine the Holy Spirit moving into an area that has long been held in oppression, destroying evil, and planting stakes in the name of Jesus. Perhaps my role is to carry these cruciform stakes. 

 

Dead End

“Keep your eye on the healthy soul, scrutinize the straight life; There’s a future in strenuous wholeness. But the willful will soon be discarded; insolent souls are on a dead-end street.” (Psalm 37:37-38 MSG)

I was driving to a friend’s house in a rural area. I had a vague idea where she lived, because I had been there before. I took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on a road with a dead-end sign. I decided to see if it was an alternate way to where I wanted to go. After a while, the paved road ended, and there was a muddy field with some tire tracks. I could see a road on the other side of the field. I stopped the car and wondered if I should risk driving off-road for a bit rather than turning around. In general, I am not a risk taker, but I am also reluctant to admit mistakes. After a few moments, I came to the end of myself, swallowed my pride, and turned around. 

In this life, we all eventually make a few wrong turns and wind up on dead-end roads. Some turn around as soon as they see the signs. Some may wait until they see others in front of them turning around. Some will keep driving all the way to the end of the pavement. The really stubborn ones may decide to attempt driving off-road and get stuck in the mud. 

"The reason why many are still troubled, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us." - A.W. Tozer

Insolence and willfulness lead us down a long,dead-end road. As long as we imagine we are in control and can do what we want, we will ignore all signs and keep going until we get stuck in the mud. When we realize we cannot manage on our own wits and skills, we come to the end of ourselves. Healthy souls scrutinize the good life. They pursue purity and honesty. They seek strenuous wholeness. 

Weed & Feed

“Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good.” (Romans 12:21 VOICE)

Weed & Feed is a chemical that is applied to lawns. It is a combination of weed killer and fertilizer. It minimizes the dandelions and clover while allowing the grass to grow deeper, stronger roots. This product is best applied in the early mornings when the granules can stick to the dew on the grass. And it has to be applied at regular intervals. The brand name of the product is a bit confusing though; at a quick glance, it looks like Weed Feed. Nobody would intentionally feed weeds!

Evil is as prevalent as weeds in a lawn. There is no way to completely avoid it, but we can minimize its power in our lives. Intentional vigilance is necessary. Good must be fertilized. Evil must be killed. The application of the Word of God feeds the good in our souls while rooting out evil.  Early mornings can be conducive to study and introspection. Repeated applications at regular intervals throughout the day are also beneficial. 

WARNING! Evil is more pernicious than weeds. It seeps in gradually and causes insidious harm. Even inherently good people have been known to succumb to evil. The ensuing destruction is like a volcanic eruption, precipitating damage to everyone in the vicinity. Be vigilant. Never let evil get the best of you; instead overpower evil with good. 

Lighthouses

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 ESV) 

Before GPS technology, sailors used lighthouses as reference points for navigation. These towers were usually built on dangerous shallows or rocky coasts. They helped guide ships safely in and out of harbors. On foggy nights, lighthouses could mean the difference between life and death. These days, ships have highly advanced navigational systems. Thus, lighthouses are considered decorative artifacts.

Even in times of uncertainty, most of us try to navigate life on our own. We use our wits, skills, and every tool available to us. When all our resources are exhausted, some of us learn to seek God’s light and use it as a reference point. Others think of this light as a decorative artifact that is no longer relevant. They continue to set their own course with a high risk of getting stuck on dangerous shallows or crashing against perilous rocks. 

Lord, protect us against stagnancy and destruction in dark times. May we always look to Your light to navigate us through life. 

Silent Power

“But Jesus offered no defense to any of the charges.” (Mark 15:5 TPT)

When Jesus was falsely accused of a list of charges, He offered no defense. He remained silent. 

Keeping my mouth shut is hard for me. I’ve got quick retorts at the tip of my tongue. I blurt things out without a filter. Although getting my point across feels good in the moment, it is rarely productive in the long term.

Verbal battles often have a spiritual component. There are invisible forces in action. Most of our arguments amount to sparring with toy swords in the midst of a battle between good and evil. We are way out of our league. It is best to remain silent and let God take over. 

The following passage by Lettie Cowman speaks eloquently about the power of silence:

“There is a place of stillness that allows God the opportunity to work for us and gives us peace. It is a stillness that ceases our scheming, self-vindication, and the search for a temporary means to an end through our own wisdom and judgment. Instead, it lets God provide an answer, through His unfailing and faithful love, to the cruel blow we have suffered. Oh, how often we thwart God’s intervention on our behalf by taking up our own cause or by striking a blow in our own defense! May God grant each of us this silent power and submissive spirit.” (Streams in the Desert)

God works best when we are still and peaceful. Our crafty arguments and sensible solutions make little difference in what is happening in the invisible realm. Self-defense gets in the way of Divine intervention. A submissive spirit allows God to move in and fight the battle on our behalf. May God grant each of us this silent power.

Disabled Sensors

“Like a bird flying straight into a net. He had no clue his life was at stake; everything was about to change.” (Proverbs 7:23 VOICE)

My car came with a bunch of sensors and cameras. The sensors set off alarms if there is anything near that could lead to a collision. All the sounds made me agitated, so I disabled many of the sensors. I had driven all my life using my own senses, so I decided that would have to be good enough.

I have to admit that I use this same logic when it comes to uncomfortable intuitions. Instead of relying on my spiritual senses, I decide to depend on my skills of perception. This feels adequate and reasonable until I get into trouble. Like a bird flying straight into a net, I get into situations from which I cannot disentangle. Then I cry out to the Lord to get me out of the mess I’m in. I wait for Him to rescue me. I’m learning to seek God’s will in everything.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

Cruise to Nowhere

“Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 PH)

One of my relatives went on a ‘cruise to nowhere’ with his family. The ship didn’t stop at any ports. The passengers enjoyed the buffets, pools, casinos, and shows for a few days as the ship floated around the Gulf of Mexico and came back to where they started. 

Every life has purpose and meaning, although many of us are still trying to figure it all out. There are some who see life as a ‘cruise to nowhere’--they don’t feel there is a point to life other than the pursuit of pleasure. I think that enjoying life is important, but I also sense that each of us is here for a reason.  Recognizing the purpose of our days on earth takes introspection and insight.

 

Interconnected Gears

“Be happy, because you can trust God to do what he says. Be patient when you have troubles. Always continue to pray.” (Romans 12:12 EASY)

Gears are wheels with teeth that slot together. When one gear is turned the other one turns as well. Most battery operated clocks with analog displays have visible gears in the back. These interconnected gears control the hands that show time. If any of the gears have built up grime, the mechanism malfunctions. If a clock is not working properly, first check the battery and terminals. Then check to see if the gears need to be cleaned.

Like gears in a clock, trust, hope, and joy are interconnected. When one gear is turned, the others turn as well. Prayer develops confidence in God. This powers the gear of trust. Trust propels hope. Hope leads to joy. 

God created us with these wonderfully interconnected parts so that we may have continuous communion with Him. However, there are various forms of grime that can cause these gears to malfunction. Impatience in times of trouble, fretfulness, a lack of perseverance--all can cause the mechanism to slow down. When you notice that your trust, hope, or joy is lagging, first check the connection to your Power Source. Then check to see if there is anything that requires cleansing in your life. Keep all the parts well-maintained. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

Unreserved Trust

“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)

When running long distances, keeping the body upright and elongated improves efficiency. I know this, but I can’t manage to keep good form when I am tired. At the end of long runs, my torso crumples and my stride shortens to a shuffle. Instead of looking ahead, my eyes are downcast. This further deteriorates my running economy. 

God is the source of hope. He promises joy to those who trust Him. I know this, but I can’t manage to keep trusting when I feel desperate. In times of trouble, my confidence crumbles and my faith is diminished. Instead of looking to God, my eyes are downcast. This makes everything worse.

Source of all hope and joy

You promised peace

To those who trust

 

Since trust is hard for me

I need Your help

To take the first step

 

Through the Power of the Spirit

Let me overflow 

In confident hope

Prayer Cues

“I call to God; God will help me. At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh deep sighs—he hears, he rescues. My life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger.” (Psalm 55:16-18 MSG)

For the past few months, I’ve been trying to develop the habit of praying throughout the day. I’ve tried several different methods. It is still a work in progress, but I thought it may be helpful to share some of the practices below.

The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office: This ancient Catholic practice of praying at set times all through the day can still be found in monasteries and convents. The prescribed prayers consist of different psalms, hymns, and scripture readings. For those who are interested in trying this, there are free apps that provide all the resources you need. I have been using the Divine Office app which provides an audio version along with text. 

Timers: You can set alarms on your phone to remind you to pray at set times. This method is more free-form. You can pray however you choose--only the time is structured. You can set the times that work best for your schedule. 

Habit Stacking: Rather than tying prayer to a particular time, you can pair it with an existing habit. Many of you already pray before meals. You can extend this to all sorts of daily routines. Practice pausing for a few seconds in God’s presence when you wake up and when you transition from one task to another. Look for habits that you do multiple times a day. For example, I look at my phone multiple times a day. Whenever someone messages me, I lift them up to God. When I pick up my phone out of boredom, I use the list of recent messages as a prayer list.  I ask God to purify my family as I clean my home. When an anxious thought bubbles up, I silently whisper: Lord, I trust You.  As I moisturize my dry lips, I mentally pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD. I may not remember to pray every time I do these tasks, but these cues help me to check in with God more frequently than I would otherwise. 

Live Better

“You have to set a good example for everyone. Go out of your way to do what is right, speak the truth with the weight and authority that come from an honest and pure life.”(Titus 2:7 VOICE)

One of our neighbors maintains a pristine yard. Every time we pass by, he is out in his yard working. He mows twice a week, edges around all the trees, trims the shrubbery, prunes his flowers, etc. He seems to enjoy yard work. In contrast, yard work is considered a chore in our household. We only do what is absolutely necessary. We wonder what our neighbor thinks of our yard. He never says anything critical; he doesn’t have to.  Every time we see him mowing, we feel some pressure to do the same. 

Our neighbor makes us strive to do better. He doesn’t have to make any suggestions or offer any advice. He just goes about doing good and influences others by his actions. 

“The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.” (Richard Rohr)

If you want to change the world for the better, do better. Your actions have more influence than you realize. They are more effective than judgment or criticism. Those who go out of their way to do what is right, speak the truth, and be compassionate inspire others to do the same. An honest and pure life sets an example for all.

 

Offering Sacrifice

“And I come, eager to offer a sacrifice of gratitude and call on the name of the Eternal.” (Psalm 116:17 VOICE)

The Old Testament is filled with stories about animal sacrifices. In the New Testament, there is a shift. The sacrificial death of Jesus makes animal sacrifices unnecessary. Instead, we are given new ways to offer sacrifice to God. 

“Our sacrifice is to keep offering praise to God in the name of Jesus.” (Hebrews 13:15 CEV)

We pay homage to God with our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. When we praise God, we acknowledge His attributes, greatness, creativity, contributions,  and authority. When we give thanks, we recognize our indebtedness. 

But why would this be called a sacrifice? 

Praise and thanksgiving take time. We may have to surrender some productivity or a few diversions so that we can focus on God. We may also have to let go of illusions of grandiosity and self-sufficiency. Offering praise to God redirects our attention. Gratitude reminds us that everything is a gift. 

Lord, I praise You for all that You are and all that You have created. I shall continually meditate on Your wonderful attributes. I am grateful for all that you have given me and all that you do for me. You are my source and sustainer. I revere You. I thank You. 

Fighting Shape

“Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, ‘I am holy; you be holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13 MSG)

I enjoy the structure and discipline of marathon training. During each training season, I am extremely focused on my running goals, injury prevention, and proper nutrition. I keep track of my daily, weekly, and monthly mileage. I run long distances, speed drills, and hill repeats. I do cross-training exercises and stretches. I ramp up intensity gradually so as to prevent injury. I monitor my diet, avoiding foods that may slow me down. All of this preparation happens before the actual race day arrives. 

I have learned to apply the same level of focus and discipline in preparing for seasons of spiritual battles. This was not always the case. There was a time when I would be diligent in prayer only when I was in trouble. When things in my life settled down, I would go back to my old lackadaisical habits. This resulted in spiritual flabbiness that left me unprepared for sudden attacks. Now, I know better. I try to remain in a constant state of alertness. I am vigilant in prayer. I allow God to shape my life, yielding to  His discipline. He prepares me for battle with energy and holiness. 

Migrant Workers

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.” (1 Peter 2 :11 MSG)

My ancestral home is in India, but most of my relatives now live in either the United States or the United Arab Emirates.  Those of us who are in the U.S. have settled down in this new country. We have switched citizenship, bought homes, assimilated to American culture, and invested all our resources locally since we have no plans to return to our ancestral land. The cousins that live in the U.A.E. are different. Since they are migrant workers, they know they can’t put down roots where they reside. Even if they live for decades in the U.A.E., they only rent apartments there but build their permanent homes back in India. They do not assimilate. They retain the language and ways of their ancestors. They know that as soon as their work assignments are over, they have to return to India. 

Scripture reminds us that we are all migrant workers. Yet, we live as if we will be here forever. We rarely think about anything beyond earthly concerns. We invest all our time, energy, and resources to pump up our egos and make ourselves comfortable. We renounce our God-given identities and embrace the values and priorities of this world. This is delusional. Friends, this world is not our home. Everything here is temporary and unstable; nothing here can bring us complete satisfaction. Let us not make ourselves cozy in it, indulging our egos at the expense of our souls.

 

Tempering

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4 VOICE)

Tempering is a process of refinement by which things are brought to their proper, suitable, or desired state. Tempered steel is heated and cooled to impart strength. Tempered glass is toughened by producing sudden internal stresses. Chocolate is tempered by heating and cooling at precise temperatures which gives it a smooth and glossy finish.  Tempering spices in hot oil releases their flavors. 

“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because 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 5:3-4 MSG)

Every trial can be a tempering process in our lives. Faith blossoms under pressure. When molded in fire, we develop  true patience, strength, and endurance. Our essence is released. We are brought to our proper, suitable, and desired state of being--mature, complete, and wanting nothing. Thus, we continue to praise God even when we’re surrounded by troubles. We patiently submit to the refinement process, knowing that it forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. 

I Am Secure

“I have written your name on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:16 NLT)

I write down everything that I consider important: prayer lists, scripture verses, insights, grocery lists, meals to cook, tasks I need to complete, schedules, reminders, birthdays, training plans, etc. I write in my journal, on my calendar, and on bits of paper. I type on my phone and my computer. When I run marathons, I don’t have access to any of these. I write inspirational verses and prayer lists with a permanent marker on my forearms and hands. Writing helps me remember. 

The image of God writing my name on the palms of HIS hands fills me with security. He won’t forget me. My concerns are His concerns. He wants to keep me at the forefront of His mind. I am important in His eyes. 

God also writes down every other person’s name on His hands--my loved ones, my enemies, every individual joy and suffering. The past, present, and future are on His radar.  All of creation is important to Him including everything on this planet and the rest of the universe. There are things that humans are not even aware of yet that are on God’s mind right now. Even so, I am secure in the knowledge that God will not forget me. For my name is written on the palms of His hands. 

Hitchhikers

“The sheep would not be willing to follow a stranger; they run because they do not know the voice of a stranger.” (John 10:5 VOICE)

Imagine you are on a long road trip and spot a hitchhiker. She looks a bit like someone you knew once. Against your better judgment, you pick her up. It turns out she wants to go where you are headed anyway. How convenient! She settles in and starts talking. She seems friendly and amusing. She says all the things you want to hear. After a while, she suggests you visit a place nearby that she is sure you would be interested in seeing. You think: no big deal; it’s only a slight detour off the path. After that stop, she suggests you take a backroad that will eventually get you to your destination. She seems to know the area, so you listen to her advice. Miles go by before you realize you are way off course. 

I know this story seems implausible. Who would be dumb enough to pick up hitchhikers and follow their directions? 

Me! 

I have let feelings of Fear, Self-pity, Shame, Despair, Annoyance, Doubt, Inadequacy, Self-absorption, and a whole host of other harmful hitchhikers into my life. These voices are sneaky. At first, they say what I want to hear, which makes them seem friendly. Then, they make suggestions that seem reasonable--or at least not too far-fetched. I don’t know why I listen to these voices, but I do. 

Jesus uses the metaphor of shepherds and sheep to explain how Evil tries to sneak into our lives. Sheep are not supposed to be smart animals. However, they instinctively follow their shepherd’s voice but not a stranger’s voice.  Even these dumb animals know better than to be influenced by the Enemy. The thief approaches us with malicious intent looking to steal our joy and destroy our spirit. The Good Shepherd cares for us, protects us, guides us, and provides for us. Be cautious. Do not pick up harmful hitchhikers who may lead you astray. Learn to discern the voice of the Lord. 

A Receptive Heart

“He replied, ‘You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening.’” (Matthew 13:11-13 MSG)

It was an early morning in late February when I woke up to the joyful sounds of birds chirping outside my window. It was still winter in Iowa, but a few unusual days of warmth had brought the birds out. As soon as my husband woke up, I asked him if he had heard the birds. He had not. He sleeps with earplugs in. I could hear the birds again while we were eating breakfast, but he could not hear them above the music that was playing. I heard them again when we were outside walking by the pond, but he wasn’t paying attention at that moment. As we approached an area full of trees, I asked him to listen carefully. Finally, he could hear the bird songs. 

This got me wondering...

Why can some people perceive God while others cannot? I think some have intentionally plugged their ears against anything spiritual. In other instances, the sounds of the world drown out the whispers of the Spirit. But in most cases, it is habitual inattentiveness and lack of interest that prevent us from noticing God’s presence.

Whenever someone has a ready heart, the insights and understandings flow freely. God creates the readiness, nudging us toward awakening. When there is interest, our minds become open and teachable. A receptive spirit becomes perceptive--learning to tune in and pay attention. With practice, we start noticing God’s presence all around us. 

Stairway to Purpose

“The Lord God gives me the right words to encourage the weary. Each morning he awakens me eager to learn his teaching.” (Isaiah 50:4 CEV) 

At some point in life, all of us experience feelings of boredom, apathy, sadness, loneliness, and meaninglessness. It’s as if we are stuck in a stagnant swamp. How do we get out of this banal existence? 

The easiest step is distraction. It is barely a ledge surrounding the swamp, and most of us slip in and out on a regular basis. My personal distractions include consumption of media and snacks. I use these forms of escape to lift my mood, but the effects barely last as long as the indulgence. 

Healthy hobbies are a few steps above distractions. These are regular habits that improve your physical or mental health. They can also benefit others around you. For me, these include running, reading, growing vegetables, and cooking healthy meals. The positive effects of these healthy hobbies last much longer than distractions.

There is yet another level...

A higher purpose can elevate you to summits far above the swamps of meaningless existence. Some vocations have clear worthiness. Only a few of these pay well. Even for those of us who are unpaid, a higher calling comes with intangible rewards. 

I have spent most of my adult life doing housework. From a worldly standpoint, what I do is unpaid and menial. Yet, I have been blessed with the ability to recognize purpose even in these daily tasks. I have some flexibility in my schedule. This gives me opportunities to serve--to listen, pray, care, and uplift others. The Lord gives me the right words to encourage the weary. He shapes my thoughts, speech, and writing. He doesn’t even wait until the morning; He wakes me up in the middle of the night with concepts that need to be pondered and sorted. I do not always appreciate my insomnia. Yet, I am able to recognize that there is a higher calling behind even that which seems insignificant. And this is a true gift--the ability to appropriate meaning and purpose in life. I am grateful.