June 20, 2022

 

Change Starts with You

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

 

What does kindness mean to you? If you are kind to someone else, do you expect accolades or at least reciprocation? Do you tell everyone about your wonderful deed?

 

What about patience? Are you patient with others as God is patient with you? Or do you get in a hurry, yelling and gesturing at other drivers or bad-mouthing the fast-food worker for not performing to your expectations?

 

Are you faithful to God ALL the time or only when it’s convenient? Do you show up for church, volunteer, tithe and study the Bible only when it fits into your busy schedule? Do you explain away your good intentions even as another week goes by?

 

We’ve all been talking about guns and gun violence. We’ve pointed fingers and blamed mental illness, all the while clinging to our own rights and views. We’ve told others they need to change but we refuse to open our minds to our responsibilities.

 

This is not where I lecture you on guns or the poor or even on going to church. I support the Second Amendment, giving to the poor and attending church each week. But mostly I advocate for change in how we treat other people each and every day. That’s where change starts. Not in Washington or in other political groups. It doesn’t even start in the “church” as we call it. Change begins with you and me and when we change, when we become more like Jesus, the world around us begins to change too.

 

Yesterday we studied the Fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians. We didn’t focus on the things we shouldn’t do. Instead, we focused on what we as individuals could do to bring change within our own hearts so that it ripples out into the world.

 

Growing fruit seems so easy. Start with love and everything else flows from that. But we have trouble loving people who aren’t like us. We don’t particularly want to accept people who don’t look like us or talk like us or, let’s get real here, are born into our country to parents who have been here a while.

 

What would happen if we stopped judging people? What would change if we intentionally loved those around us, including those we don’t agree with and those who maybe haven’t met our expectations of what living a good life really looks like?

 

Jesus said we are the light of the world. Each day we have a choice. We can love and, in so doing, be living examples of the Fruit of the Spirit. Or we can remain self-focused, determined to keep our own best interests ahead of what God actually tells us to do.

 

Do you want to change what’s wrong with the world? Look in the mirror. That’s the person you start with.

Friday, August 31, 2012

God Calms Stormy Seas

I waited patiently for the LORD;

He turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

Out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock

And gave me a firm place to stand.

-- Psalm 40:1-2

I am not a patient person. I know that. I admit it. I work on it every single day. I do. Most days I can let things go and stay focused on the task at hand. And then there are days like yesterday.

It wasn’t that something awful happened. And I am so very thankful for that. I know what it’s like to have the awful so I don’t ever take my blessings for granted. It’s just that some days the little things -- one after another after another after another -- just seem to build up to the point where I think I’ll either explode, have a stroke or suffer a nervous breakdown. Seriously.

Everybody seems to want something. Nothing big, you understand. Just something. The phone call here. The project over there. The errands to run. The questions to answer. And on and on. I feel like putting a sign over my head that says: “I am ONE person. Take a number and get in line.”

I know that one day I’ll likely long for the banter of voices and the ringing of a silent phone. Today is not that day. I am simply too overwhelmed with duties and responsibilities to do much of anything but get through it all.

Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;

O LORD, come quickly to help me.

-- Psalm 40:13

I love this psalm for many reasons but mostly because of its honesty. I am quite familiar with pleading with God to help me -- RIGHT NOW. I can even laugh about it sometimes. I’m like a spoiled child who simply refuses to wait for my treat. And I do know and understand and believe that God’s timing is perfect, just like His plan for my life.

When life seems so overwhelming, I cry out to Him. I want His peace to surround me. I want His wisdom to guard my words. And I want to be able to be kind and compassionate even when I don’t feel like it.

He put a new song in my mouth,

A hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

And put their trust in the LORD.

-- Psalm 40:3

I am very aware that how people see me is also how they see God. It isn’t fair, I know. He is perfect and I am merely a human trying so hard to live life as He has called me to live it. But others look to see how I handle life’s struggles. They want to know if this Jesus I talk about really is there to help.

And He is. He calms my soul in the storms that sometimes surround me. He gives me hope for a better day, a calmer day, a day filled with laughter and smiles. He puts a new attitude in my heart and songs of praise in my mouth. Yes, God is good. In every storm, He is God, Father, Creator. He is good.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

God Sends An Amazing Blessing

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.” -- 1 Samuel 1:27

They longed for a child to call their own. Physically it wasn’t possible. They prayed and filled out adoption forms. They endured grueling interviews and testing. It was one obstacle after another.

They volunteered at church. The children gave them hugs and high fives. They laughed and sang. And they loved it all. Still, their hearts were as empty as the quiet home they returned to each night.

Then a call came from an unexpected source. A woman was looking for a couple to adopt her unborn child. They met and it seemed like a perfect fit. Excitement grew as the possibility of an infant, something they had never imagined in their search for a child, became a reality.

Then another phone call and the woman had changed her mind. They were heartbroken but refused to let Satan have a foothold. They clung to their faith, to God and each other. And they moved on, once again seeking God’s will as they sought a child or two to fill their lives and call their own.

Another phone call. The woman had made a mistake. She’d started going to church and spent time in prayer and discussion with the pastor and his wife. She didn’t want to be a mother. She wanted the couple to take her baby as their own.

They prayed and cried, afraid their hearts couldn’t survive if she changed her mind again. But they decided to go forward. To embrace this blessing that God had offered to them. They announced their decision to their church family. Everyone prayed. A baby shower was planned.

The tiny little boy came a couple of weeks early but they were ready and waiting. A blessing from God that they never could have imagined. They held their tiny son and remembered again how faithful God is to bless those who are faithful to Him.

It is reminiscent of a story of long ago when a woman named Hannah prayed that God would give her a child, a son. And God heard her and granted her wish. Just as God heard the heartfelt prayers of this wonderful couple.

Sometimes we get frustrated because God doesn’t grant our wishes immediately. Sometimes, just maybe, it’s because He has something better in mind for us if only we’ll stay faithful and wait a little longer.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Patience Sometimes Proves Elusive

You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. -- James 5:8

Patience isn’t something I’m good at. I try. I take deep breaths, recite scripture, talk to myself -- loudly. None of it works.

It’s not that I get all out of sorts over things. Not usually, anyway. I learned a long time ago that things don’t really matter. But I don’t have patience with the basics. I want peace today. I want enough money for my needs today. I want to feel loved and appreciated today.

And God said no.

Did I mention that I’m not patient? I sense a lesson here, similar to the one where income and address doesn’t equal worth. Nor do those things bring happiness, contentment or love. It’s all an illusion.

I want the real thing. And I want it now. I want to feel loved and appreciated by the people who, frankly, dislike and hate me. Impossible? Not with God. But maybe not on this earth either. I’ve got to find a way to come to terms with that. To give it to God -- and not try to take it back when it hurts too much to breathe.

And I want enough money to take care of my needs without having to worry. I realize this is a selfish request. Many people don’t even have food to eat or a clean place to sleep. But I want it just the same. I feel guilty about that sometimes. Then that rebellious streak rises within me. I can’t deny it. I don’t deserve it but I want it. God knows my heart so there’s no use trying to hide it.

It’s not that I want to ignore God’s will. On the contrary, I want to do His bidding. I try. I fail sometimes. But I try. I’ve done things I never imagined I could do. I’ve stepped out in faith when I was so scared I was shaking. But I did it anyway because God said He’d be with me. And He was.

I guess I just keep expecting that at some point life will get easier. I know. That’s laughable. Life never gets easier. It is filled with a series of ups and downs, of peaks and valleys. Some of the drama is outward and some is inward. But there is no such thing as an easy ride for anyone.

Which brings me back to patience. Some days I think I’m expecting too much. Then I remember just how powerful and awesome my God is. Anything is possible for him who believes. Anything. So I just have to be patient for God’s timing and His will in my life.

God promises good things for those who love Him. And I love Him with my whole heart. So, yes, I’ll be patient until its time. Because His timing is perfect and good and true. He loves me. He really, really loves me.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Patience Goes With Kindness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -- Galatians 5:22a

I am not a patient person. I know that. Pretty much everyone around me knows that. I want to be a patient person. Really. I do. I just get so exasperated. I just wish I could bottle all that energy I spend each day holding my tongue.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to work with young children at church. I surprised myself. I found that when it comes to small kids, I actually can be really patient. They don’t push any buttons, unless you count the “awe” button because they are so cute sometimes.

I wondered what the difference could be. Why am I patient with them and yet so impatient with other people? Do you know what I mean? Are you sometimes really patient with some people and other people just drive you crazy?

I think I’ve finally come to understand the difference for me. Little children are just learning how to do things. They try their best and if they mess up, so what. They’ll try again and again until they get it. The process can be really fun for everyone, especially when you get to participate in building a child’s skill levels and helping with develop self-confidence.

My patience wears thin when adults don’t do what they already know to do. Some of them make the same mistakes again and again. I know it’s difficult. Hey, I make mistakes all the time. But sometimes it’s best to just admit it and move on. Don’t blame it on someone else and don’t keep making excuses.

One of the most humbling and liberating things I have ever come to accept about myself is that I don’t have to know everything or be able to do everything. I can ask for help. I can admit I don’t know. For example, I am horrible at sports. It’s not a matter of practice or willingness or attitude. I simply have almost no coordination. I love watching football and baseball. But I’m not someone who’s going to join in a team sport. And that’s okay.

I hope as I age I’ll be able to admit it when my skills and abilities start to fade. I realize I’ll likely be in a unique position. I don’t have children or a spouse to look after me. I’ll probably be that little old lady who can barely drive her car down the road. So I beg you now to be patient with me. And I ask God to let me be patient with those who are in that position of aloneness now.

Every day I struggle to hold my tongue. Every day I try desperately for a patience I don’t feel. I am reminded that feelings shouldn’t enter into my actions. I should do, or refrain from doing, based on patience and kindness. Older people lose abilities and pride keeps them from admitting it and asking for help. They want to be like they were 20 years ago and they’re not. I can understand that. I want to be like I was 20 years ago too but I’m not. We can’t go back.

Maybe I can pluck the fruit of patience off God’s tree. Maybe I can focus on love and goodness and gentleness. Maybe I can practice self-control and that, in turn, will lead to patience. And kindness. Because sometimes patience really isn’t so much about holding your tongue as it is about being kind. And that is something I can do.

Wait For God

The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.

-- Lamentations 3:25-26

What are you worried about today? Are you afraid you or your spouse will soon be unemployed? Are you concerned that your child is making friends with the wrong people? Can you pay the rent or mortgage? What about food? Or car repairs?

There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world today. It’s everywhere. It’s not about political parties or liberal vs. conservative. It’s about faith and trust in a God who loves us beyond anything we could ever imagine. It’s about walking where we cannot see and knowing that He holds our hand and lights our path.

It isn’t an easy journey. I’ve stumbled more times than I care to admit. What about you? Do you sometimes falter in how deep your trust goes? Do you ever doubt that He really will pay the rent, provide a job, protect your child? Because we all have choices to make and sometimes we make the wrong ones and really bad things happen. Our choice. Our fault. Our disaster.

But God never leaves us where we land. At least, not when we cry out to Him. It’s a promise He has made again and again. Wherever we are, He’s there. He never leaves us. We leave Him.

So the task for us to practice that Fruit of the Spirit titled “patience.” It’s continuing to pray, to read God’s Word, to do what He says even when we can’t seen where He’s going. Maybe especially when we can’t see where He’s going. Because whatever He has planned for us is far better than anything we could ever imagine.

When we’re scared and uncertain, it’s sometimes easier to force our way forward. At least, the direction we think is forward. We don’t trust God to really take care of us, so we’re determined to find a way to do it for ourselves. Know what I’m talking about? Probably because most of us have been there at one time or another.

Remember: God never leaves us where we land. No matter how big of a mess we’ve made, no matter how deep someone else has hurt us, no matter how hopeless the situation seems, God can do anything. God will do whatever it takes to help His children. Maybe not in our time frame or in the way we envision, but He will help us.

So trust Him. Wait for Him. Believe His promises. God will never, ever let you down or leave you alone to face whatever you’re facing. Cry out to Him. Seek Him with all your heart. And wait for Him to show His Glory.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

A Lesson In Waiting

Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you.“ -- Genesis 15:4

God promised Abram (later Abraham) that he would become a great nation. Abram, being human like the rest of us, immediately pointed out the problem: Abram and his wife Sarai (later Sarah) were old and they had no children. It seemed like an insurmountable problem to Abram. It was nothing to God.

And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.

-- Genesis 15:6

Abram understood that God could make anything happen. He also knew that God would keep His promise. Sarai doubted. She didn’t believe. She wasn’t patient. She decided to “help” God along. News flash: “Helping” God is never a good idea.

But Sarai, Abram’s wife, had no children. So Sarai took her servant, an Egyptian woman named Hagar, and gave her to Abram so she could bear his children. -- Genesis 16:1-2a

Sarah just decided to take things into her own hands and “make” God’s promise happen. Forcing something when God calls us to wait is never a good idea. Really. He knows what He’s doing. The problem for us is that God’s timing and ours are rarely the same. We would do well to remember that God’s timing is perfect and ours is a bit warped at best.

So Abraham ended up with Ishmael, his first son but not the heir promised by God. While it is easy to condemn Sarah for her really bad idea, let us remember that Abraham could have said no. Fortunately, God didn’t give up on Abraham and Sarah the way they gave up on Him.

Then one of them said, “About this time next year I will return, and your wife Sarah will have a son.” -- Genesis 18:10a

Sarah laughed when she heard this. Laughed. I’d like to make an awful observation about now but I know it would only come back on me. How many times have I disbelieved God’s promise over my own life? It’s easy to believe when it’s someone else’s life but not so easy when turmoil is all around you and you can’t see the light because of the darkness.

Then the LORD did exactly what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant, and she gave a son to Abraham in his old age.

-- Genesis 21:1-2a

Finally Isaac was born. The child God promised -- twenty years after the promise. Yeah. That puts a different perspective on things, doesn’t it? When God made the original promise to Abraham, He didn’t say when it would happen, just that it would. I would have trouble waiting two months but Abraham and Sarah had to wait twenty years. Yet, God remained faithful and He kept His promise.

It comes down to trust. Do you trust God to do what He says He will do for you? Do you trust Him to take care of you, to strengthen you, to walk beside you? Do you trust God with your money, with your home, with your family? Do you trust God to handle difficult situations, to grab you if you start to sink?

It’s when we try to take over, to force the issue to our time frame rather than God’s, that disaster inevitably happens. Ishmael came because Sarah didn’t believe and decided to make sure God’s promise was fulfilled. She later resented his mother and because jealous of them both. There’s nothing quite like getting what you think you want and then realizing that you shouldn’t have had it to start with.

Isaac was God’s promise fulfilled. It takes great spiritual maturity to wait for God. It’s hard. Our timing isn’t His, especially in this age of instant gratification. Yet when we do wait, God blesses us immeasurably. He fills us with His Spirit, His peace, His promise. His blessings multiply when we trust God and wait for Him.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wait For God

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. -- 2 Samuel 5:4-5

The dictionary defines patience as the calm endurance of hardship or annoyance or inconvenience or delay. Patience also means perseverance, according to the same dictionary. The Bible lists patience as a Fruit of the Spirit. I list patience as something I crave but have never really tasted.

Samuel secretly anointed David king over all Israel when David was just a boy. God led His prophet to Jesse and his sons. God rejected them all -- until the youngest boy was brought in from tending the sheep. God chose David to lead His people and Samuel anointed David.

But David didn’t get a crown and great power that day. Or the next. Or the next. Years passed before David realized God’s promise to him. Those years tested David in ways he could never have imagined as King Saul tried again and again to kill David. Yet David refused to take matters into his own hands and end Saul’s reign. David trusted God. I want to have that kind of trust.

I’m one of those people who want it now. What about you? I’m not good at waiting. I know this about myself and I do work on it -- every single day. I do okay when I’ve got a roadmap of sorts. If I know the steps I must take, then I can handle it. Not easily but I can do it.

Many years ago I went through a season of troubles. It seemed that every time one thing got sorted out, another knocked me down. Despair was about to overwhelm me when one night I had a dream. The dream outlined everything I still had to go through but also promised that an end was in sight. Everything that I dreamed came to pass but as I sat in my broken down car on the side of the freeway, I felt peace rather than anguish. I’ve thanked God many times for sending me a roadmap and, thus, giving me hope.

So often we get impatient on life’s road. We want to see results and if God isn’t acting as quickly as we’d like, then we tend to just take care of matters on our own. That’s a big mistake. Think about Abraham and all the trouble Sara caused because she didn’t believe God would bless her with a child in her old age.

God’s timing is perfect but it frequently doesn’t seem that way to us. We live in a world of instant gratification. Patience is hard. Trusting God to take care of us, to provide for us, to bless us, in His own time and place is difficult. But, oh, the blessings that we’ll receive if we just take a deep breath and wait for God.

　

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Reflect Jesus To Others

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
-- Colossians 3:12

Wow, that sounds good. I want to be filled with compassion and kindess. I want to live my life in humility and treat others with gentleness and patience. Really, I do. But wanting and doing aren't the same thing. Sometimes I fail miserably.

Patience has never been my strong point. I try. Really I do. I'm even pretty good when I'm dealing with small children. They're so precious and wonderful. It's the adults that really give me fits. It seems natural to have to repeat myself to children. It's just so aggravating when having to repeat myself to adults.

I take deep breaths. I beg God to hold my tongue. I really have issues with my tongue. It tends to be short and to the point. You know what I'm talking about. Everyone gets a little irritable now and again so you might as well admit it. We won't talk about the guilt and excuses that come from that.

It's just that I know other people judge Jesus by me. It's not really fair. He is perfect and I'm far from that. But because I'm a Christian, Jesus lives inside of me. He's part of me. And it's my responsibility to show Jesus to people by the way I act and the words I say. That's a pretty daunting task for someone who has never exactly been tactful.

The Bible reminds me that God understands my flaws. He knows my heart. He knows I'm trying and struggling and trying again. And somehow that's enough for Him. I am enough for Him. Flaws and all. The strange thing is that the more I try to be like Him, the fewer the times my emotions control my actions. Maybe I can be like Paul, striving toward what I can't see but know is just ahead. I'll stumble and fall, scrape myself up and shed a few tears. But then He'll pick me up, dust me off and away I'll go again. Heading toward Him and the life that awaits at the end of the day. Imperfection made anew. How awesome is that.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Let People See Jesus In You

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." -- Colossians 3:12

Paul certaintly set high standards for all of us, didn't he? I guess he wanted us to strive to be like Jesus. That's a good thing. It's just that in order to do that we've got to understand the meaning behind those words.

What exactly is compassion? The dictionary says it's a feeling of pity that makes us want to help or show mercy. So if we're compassionate we should want to help others and, indeed, we should help them. We should refrain from hate and unkind words and instead show Christ's mercy -- just like He has shown us mercy.

Paul also calls us to kindness. Most folks probably think they're kind. They would likely insist that they can be gentle and considerate in how they treat others. Sure. Most of us can be kind. But are we? Did you let that big SUV in front of you today when everyone was merging in to one lane in that road construction area? Did you hold your tongue when the neighbor's children messed up your flower bed while they were playing ball? Did you show kindness to the waitress who mixed up your lunch order or did you treat her to an attitude? Kindness isn't just for the people closest to us. It isn't just something we do in church. Kindness matters most when we use it in how we treat all people we encounter in our day.

All that talk about attitude brings up another one of Paul's subjects: humility. The dictionary calls humility a humble condition or attitude of mind. Okay. So what is humble? Having or showing a modest estimate of one's own importance. Not being proud. Not being large or showy. Being of low social or political rank. In other words, not tooting your own horn and thinking yourself superior to others. That certainly goes against what we're being taught to do in today's world. Of course, humility might make us get along with each other a whole lot better. That could only be good.

Next, Paul mentioned gentleness. We're to be mild, moderate, not rough or severe. Another kind of gentleness is when a horse trainer gentles a colt. I would imagine we could calm a great many situations by being gentle instead of harsh. What do you think?

Paul left patience until the end. I don't know if he did it intentionally or not. Patience is the calm endurance of hardship or annoyance, inconvenience or delay. It's also perseverance. It's easy to be patient when life is going exactly like we want it to and people are doing exactly what we want them to do. Of course, when does life ever go exactly as we planned? There will always be a long line at the grocery store when we're running late. A co-worker will always need to talk when we're facing a tight deadline. The kids will always be rowdy when we've got a headache. The list goes on and on. We can't change life's imperfections. We can change how we react. We can take a deep breath, say a quick prayer and respond with patience instead of anger and frustration.

Paul gave us some pretty awesome advice. Putting it into practice on a daily basis isn't easy. In fact, I don't think it's something we could ever do alone. It's a good thing we don't have to. Jesus gave us a good example of how to live and how to treat others. He's right there beside us, guiding and strengthing us, as He walks us all the way home .

Wait for the Lord

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." -- Psalm 27:14

I've always figured I was in the ladies' room when God passed out patience. I don't have any. I know. I'm supposed to have it. We all are. It's a fruit of the spirit. I like fruit. I want to be patient. It's just that I want it right now.

God has a different timetable than me. He has a masterplan. He wrote it. He really does know what He's doing. I don't have a clue, so I'm winging it as I go.

I've been taking a bible study on Esther. It's wonderful! It's amazing what you learn when you take it slowly. I'm at the part where Queen Esther invites the King and Haman to a banquet to honor them. Now her goal is to convince the King that he needs to stop Haman's plan to kill all the Jews. What a perfect opportunity! Except that instead of answering the King when he asks what she wants -- and indicates she'll get it, I might add -- she invited the two men back to another banquet the next night. Talk about suspense. Then God does His God thing. The King can't sleep but he does remember that Mordecai the Jew saved his life. He decides to reward him. Had Esther brought up the subject at the first banquet, the king wouldn't have remembered that the man Haman was determined to hang was the very man who saved the king from an assassination plot. See, God had it all planned out ahead of time. He knew what He was doing!

I remind myself of that very point whenever I get anxious and want to take things into my own hands to move them along a little faster. God knows what He's doing. I need to just take a deep breath and let it out slowly. His plan will unfold in His time in His perfect way.