Holiness vs. Popularity

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

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

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

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

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

Tempered Virtue

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

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

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

Reinforced Faith

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

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

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

How to Defeat Evil

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

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

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

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

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

A Sensitive Spirit

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

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

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

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

Most Inspiring

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

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

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

Prayer Anchors

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

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

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