On the Outside Looking In
With a bus trip between routes today, I haven’t been home too awfully long. As You know, Father, I was productive while away, but now is the time for us to come together. Please open my eyes to see what is before me this evening.
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This has been weighing on my heart and mind recently. I regularly pick up a middle school student toward the end of my route. There are students in almost every seat, most sitting alone. They are new residents of the house where I stop, but I don’t know if they’ve been a part of our district for a while or not. What has been weighing on me is the look on the student’s face when they get on and find an empty seat. Their expression is one of loneliness—the look of one looking upon the inside from the outside.
To my knowledge, they have no friends on the bus, though I see them coming out of the school in the afternoons accompanied by others – they ride another bus to their grandparents’ home, I think.
There’s another event that ties into this one. Last weekend, our family went to a Christmas Bazaar at a large church in a neighboring community. Many vendors were selling their wares, and you could tell that many of them had invested a substantial amount of time, effort, and resources into their creations.
The ones that got to me were the ones whose wares were a little subpar. They weren’t awful, but the quality of what they were selling just wasn’t getting people’s attention. …the looks on many of their faces was heart-wrenching, at least to those who were looking…
Are you looking? Do you see the lonely and the lost? Do you see the faces of those on the outside pressed up against the glass, trying to get just a glimpse of those enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of those on the inside?
I am as interactive with my student as I can be, as they get on and off the bus. But that is my only contact. I call them by name every single time, hoping that that communicates their importance, to me at least.
Maybe I should have at least stopped and chatted with the downhearted vendors. It probably wouldn’t have hurt to buy some small thing from them, but…I didn’t…
The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle (letter),
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. 1 John 3:17-18 AMP
Saying we care about people and love them is not enough. We must take action […because practical acts of love are more than words].
May we strive to see the world through the eyes of Christ. Our powers of perception are too narrow and limiting. Only the love of Christ, in action through us, can truly make a difference in the lives of others.
Nov 16th, 2023, Thurs, 6:23 pm
What Do You Bow Down To?
It’s been a busy morning, but I am grateful for some time to sit with You this afternoon, Father. Bless this time together. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:14-15 (<<click here to read the passage)
As “modern” men and women, it is easy to blow past this sort of Scripture. We get it in our heads that we have nothing to do with idolatry – at least, most of us don’t. In our minds, we don’t bow down to images of stone, wood, or precious metals in our culture in particular. The only time we see those kinds of things is in movies or possibly documentaries on television. But excluding ourselves shows a very narrow perspective.
We may not bow down to stone or wood, but some still bow down to precious metals…gold in particular. The desire for wealth and the supposed security it brings controls many of us.
Here’s a good Old Testament verse to tie in here.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
The Apostle Paul hits the nail square on the head when he says in today’s passage,
Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]. I am speaking as to wise and sensible people; judge [carefully and thoughtfully consider] for yourselves what I say. AMP
(A…just as a side note, you’re told to “run” here. See yesterday’s post, Don’t Just Stand There! Run!)
Wealth can be an issue, but note what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” AMP
The problem is not money in and of itself; it is loving money more than God. We’re in trouble when we stop controlling money, and money starts controlling us.
But don’t think that money is the only potential idol. The Amplified Bible’s exposition of the word mammon (the word many translations translate as money) tells us a lot about other things we allow to control us – possessions, fame, status…
We can be worshippers of paper idols. We can be controlled by the insatiable desire to get as many letters behind our name as possible – BA, BS, MD, PhD, MBA, just to name a few. How many certificates can you hang on your wall? Again, education is a wonderful investment that often benefits others and ourselves. We just mustn’t value it more than the Lord.
It all goes back to the very first commandment given to the people of Israel via the servant Moses,
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 NIV
That pretty much covers it.
Nov 14th, 2023, Tues, 12:59 pm
Don’t Just Stand There! Run!
Image by cookie_studio on Freepik
Thank You, Father, for the nice weather today. I got quite a bit done outside, and now for some inside work!
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the many safety protocols we’re supposed to teach our students is that if they are crossing a road to get on or off the bus, first, they are to watch the driver. In Ohio, at least, we lift our hand, and when it is safe, we lower it, signifying that the student can cross. We keep the other hand on our horn so that if danger arises, we can lay on the horn, warning the student who is crossing.
Now, they are supposed to quickly look around, ascertain the danger, and respond appropriately. They should only look at us if they don’t see the threat.
Thankfully, I’ve never had to use my horn in that situation. However, it’s a little worrisome in that I’ve used my horn when a student hasn’t looked at me before crossing, and they give me that big “What?” look!
If danger is imminent, they cannot just continue on, oblivious to it. They need to determine the best course of action and act! I admit most of us, child or not, would have a hard time deciding what to do in a timely manner! What’s scary is that in those situations, it could easily be a life or death (or at least serious injury) decision.
Spiritually, the Holy Spirit serves as our guide throughout life. He lets us know when it is safe to proceed if we pay attention. Temptation is ever present, and we must always be on our guard.
The Amplified Bible translation of today’s passage is excellent!
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
There is a lesson there for us all.
Also, my Life Application Study Bible states regarding this passage. Running from a tempting situation is your first step on the way to victory.
And along the lines of crossing the road, my mind took that as meaning, “Don’t just stand there! Run!” It could easily be a life-or-death situation, spiritually speaking!
Nov 13th, 2023, Mon, 5:43 pm
Learn from the Mistakes of Others
After a full docket, it is time to settle my mind, body, and spirit to come together alongside You, Father. May I be attuned to Your heart. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:1-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
Why is it that we can’t seem to learn from the mistakes of others? A portion of the introductory note for this chapter in my Life Application Study Bible states that the Apostle Paul “uses Israel as an example of spiritual immaturity, shown in their overconfidence and lack of self-discipline.”
When we look at the world today, and unfortunately, the church as well, we see a lot of immaturity, and it shows in our overconfidence and lack of self-discipline. Looking at Biblical Jewish history as a whole, they messed up much more often than they did what was right. Over and over again, and Paul gives just a handful of examples in these verses, Israel did not do what God commanded them to but repeatedly did what they wanted to do. Even with all the wonderful and miraculous things God did for them, they often chose to complain about them because it wasn’t what they wanted or how they wanted them done.
Over and over again, God gave, and God forgave them for their ingratitude and rebellion. You would think after so long that it would dawn on them that if they would just get their act together, God would take care of them. He would go to bat for them. Example after example is given when He did just that, but they never seemed to be able to get it through their thick skulls that that was the case.
And the people of Paul’s day were no better, and we are no better. Humanity, as a whole, continues to think that we are different. We are better. We are superior…and we are none of those things.
Again, if we would give ourselves over – heart, soul, and mind – to God, oh, the things we could experience…the things we could accomplish!
There have been numerous individuals throughout the ages who have done just that and have seen just what God can do. But as a society, as a collective of people, we cannot overcome our immaturity. We want what we want when we want it. And most of all, we don’t want God to have any part in it at all.
I struggle, too. I remember in my youth lying on my bed at the Nazarene campground in Summersville, West Virginia, and asking myself why I couldn’t grow up and remain consistent in my Christian walk. Even then, I could see evidence of God using me when I was obedient. But my immaturity would win out, and I would yield to some frivolous desire, and the flow of spiritual progress would stop. The ebb and flow of my life continues yet today. But I will say, and all faithful followers of Christ with me, God is faithful. When I am faithless, He is faithful. And He never gives up on me. He wants me to be victorious. And often, I am.
Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 AMP
Nov 11th, 2023, Sun, 6:39 pm
“Dotted Line” Adventures
Ah, an afternoon time in which to write! Thank You, Father. May our time together be profitable for me and others!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of my favorite things as a youngster was to get the comics out of the Sunday paper and then plop on the floor and read them all! There have been many excellent cartoonists, and one of my favorites was Bill Keane (1922 – 2011), most notable for his work on the newspaper comic The Family Circus, which began in 1960.
Yesterday, reading through the ninth chapter of 1 Corinthians, the last verses of the chapter grabbed my attention. And then today, as I read through them again, Billy from The Family Circus came to mind. His “dotted line” adventures were loved by many. The one pictured above was published in 1993.
In this one, Billy had run on an errand for his mother. He forgot what he was sent after, and with five minutes until they closed (the store was right across the street from home), he meandered all over the place before he finally got there. He was a good kid, but he was definitely a kid!
In these verses, the Apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to a runner running a race. And the runner is not just running for entertainment or simply for the joy of running but the runner is running to win! And in no way is it implied that 3rd or even 2nd place will do…no! Getting the 1st place prize is their goal!
In his writing, Paul uses words like training, exercises self-control, and strictly discipline. He’s in it to win it!
When you think of serving Christ, when you think of living out your life in devoted service to Him, do those words come to mind? Even after several minutes of pondering? Some out there may think that way, but most of us have a “Billy” mindset when it comes to living our lives for Christ.
“Oh, look, that’s interesting! Ooo, what’s that? Let me give that a shot! What’s over there? I’m sorry, Lord, what was I supposed to be doing?”
I’m sure some are content just to sit back and wait for Christ’s return. They don’t want to be asked to do anything…just let them know what He gets here, OK?
But, really, spiritually run to receive the prize? I’m not overly disciplined in my everyday life; how am I even supposed to do that spiritually? Self-control? Have you ever seen me around a box of donuts or an open bag of chips?
We – and we, includes me – need to get serious about our walk with Christ. To be all we can for Him, we need to have the definite goal of strictly disciplining ourselves, bringing our sin-leaning nature into submission to our Savior. Then, we will see what God can do with us! And I can guarantee that He can accomplish so much more than we are now!
Nov 9th, 2023, Thurs, 12:38 pm