Daily Offering

“Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” (Romans 12:1 MSG)

Over the last few weeks, Kerala, India, has been devastated by severe flooding. Over 800,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Although the Indian Navy is involved in the rescue operations, many of the rural rescues are being conducted by local fishermen. I read a report about a poor fisherman who goes out daily in his boat to help rescue those who are stranded in their homes. He said that some people welcome his help, while others reject it. Several homeowners are suspicious of his motives. They are afraid he might loot their homes after they leave. For weeks, he has not been making any income from fishing. His boat has some damage from floating over street debris. He knows he is putting himself at risk for disease from the contaminated flood waters. Despite all this, the fisherman keeps taking his boat out daily. He offers up his time, talent, equipment, dignity, income, comfort, and energy to do the right thing.

This fisherman is living out the teachings of Christ. How can we learn to do the same? Perhaps it would be best to start practicing before a crisis. Take an ordinary day, and place it at God’s disposal. Offer up the day as soon as you wake up. Instead of filling up your schedule with your agenda, wait for God’s directions. Embrace interruptions; they may be opportunities to serve. Accept any discomfort, loss, and inefficiency that comes up. Seek to be a part of whatever the Lord is doing today.

Traveling Light

"Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.” (Luke 10:4 MSG)

On long runs, I wear a belt with pouches to carry my supplies. It holds my phone, a small bottle of water, gel packs, chapstick, car keys, tissue, etc. I may not need all of these things, but it makes me feel secure to have these supplies with me, just in case. However, carrying all this extra weight with me slows me down.

Are you carrying around habits or attitudes that are holding you back? Unforgiveness, fear, cynicism, resentment, entitlement, despair, ambition, pride, greed, materialism, etc., can all make you feel less vulnerable, but they can also weigh you down. Determining what is essential and what is extra can be difficult. Most of us want to be self-sufficient, prepared for any eventuality.

Jesus sent his disciples out into the world. He instructed them to travel light and not take any extra baggage. Why? He knew that any extra stuff would limit their movements and slow them down. He did not expect the disciples to be self-sufficient. Instead, they were taught to depend on God for sustenance, guidance, and protection.

Grafting Trees

“Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.” (Romans 11:17-18 MSG)

Grafting is the practice of joining two plants together permanently so that they will continue to grow as a single organism. There are many steps to this delicate process. An established tree with a good root system is the ideal place to start. If this tree is not producing the right kind or amount of fruit that the gardener desires, the original branches are pruned off and new scions (tender shoots from another plant) are attached. Scions are chosen for desirable characteristics--delicious fruit, beautiful flowers, ease of harvest, etc. The rootstock, the lower portion of the established tree, provides water and nutrients to the scions that have been grafted onto the trunk. A cleft is cut into the bark of the rootstock. The scion is also cut on one end before it is inserted into the bark of the established plant. Proper alignment and pressure are necessary for the process to succeed. The grafting site is wrapped until both plants learn to ‘communicate’ through their vasculature, joining together to become one.

Those who trust God have been grafted into the rootstock of Christ. Our survival and productivity depend on our assimilation with the nurturing root system. Although the scion becomes the visible part of the tree that displays all the foliage and fruit, it still remains completely dependent on the root. Similarly, we are called to flourish in holiness while sustained by Christ. The Master Gardener cuts each of us gently, but precisely--before grafting us to the rootstock. He aligns us properly and applies the right amount of pressure. In time, we learn to communicate with the root through trust and prayer. We are wrapped in grace and love until we are conformed to Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

Yielding to God

“The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy.” (Romans 11:7 MSG)

The Catholic Church has a lengthy process of determining if someone is qualified to be called a Saint. However, in my opinion, anyone who allows God to pursue HIS interest in them is a saint. Mother Teresa was well-known for allowing God to use her for His purposes. Yet, there are many others who yield to God, lead virtuous and sacrificial lives, but go unnoticed.

I have been blessed to cross paths with several saints in my lifetime. They allow God to work through them, putting their self-interest aside to love and serve others. They model lives of sanctity and sacrificial living. They quietly go about the Lord’s business, rarely calling attention to themselves. These hallowed individuals inspire me to let God pursue His interests through me and to seek no other validation than His stamp of legitimacy.

Abuse in the Church

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.” (Mark 9:42 NLT)

The Catholic church has a history of covering up child abuse committed by its clergy. As someone who attends and supports the Catholic Church, I am deeply disappointed in this practice. Any institution that preys on the innocent is abhorrent, but when those who claim to represent Christ do it, it’s even worse.

Why would we hold on to our faith despite the hypocrisy and corruption that we know is part of organized religion?

“They're holding on, not because of what they think they're going to get out of it, but because they're convinced of God's grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.” (Romans 11:6 MSG)

Many of us are able to hold on to faith because we can separate God from religion. Religion is man’s interpretation of God, and churches are religious institutions. I stopped expecting to get anything out of church a long time ago. Despite this, I am convinced of God’s grace and purpose. So, I stay to fight from within--to speak up for the voiceless and stand up for the powerless.

Embraced by the Unknown

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3 NLT)

It was 5 a.m. I was backing the car out of the garage. I looked back as I reversed the car. I couldn’t see anything. I was used to the predawn darkness, but this was different. A thick fog enveloped everything. I put the gear back in park and just sat there for a moment. Over the last year, my fear of driving in the dark had diminished. But, going out on this dark, foggy morning felt scary, dangerous, and unwise. As I sat there, debating what to do next, I remembered something I had read in a devotional a few days before:

“My eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life.” (George Mueller)

Here was my chance to apply something I had read. My fear stemmed from my fixation on the fog and the darkness. I couldn’t see where I was going. I had minimal control. I had two choices. Either go back in the house and wait until visibility improved, or trust God. The first seemed rational, while the latter felt absurd. And who was to say that God wasn’t the one directing me to stay home?

I sat quietly in my car. I asked God for guidance. I felt a sense of peace. I backed the car slowly out of the garage. I drove out into the darkness, and the fog embraced me. My eye was no longer on the density of the unknown, but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life.

Leaning into the Light

“The Lord is my light...” (Psalm 27:1 NIV)

Some days, despair rolls in like dark clouds obscuring all light. Disillusion sets in, draining all vitality and passion. Visions and plans are abandoned. We sit alone in our hopelessness. We wait for the darkness to pass, but it seems like it never will. Our loved ones try to help, but few are willing to remain with us in the suffering. Instead, they try to distract us, cheer us up, and motivate us to move forward.

Dark clouds are often a prelude to rain. Seeds that lie dormant underground start germinating, even though visible signs of growth take time. Once a seedling breaks through the ground, it leans into the light. Its roots reach out to absorb every drop of rain. Nothing is wasted.

In times of darkness, Jesus remains near. He stays with us in our despondency. He plants seeds of purpose in the deep recesses of our heart. And, when the time is right, He provides the light for us to see our circumstances clearly. Our souls germinate through the darkness, leaning into His light. Our roots reach out, absorbing the pain, and using it for growth. We recognize God by our side. We were never helpless after all.