Have you been faithful to use the opportunities God has given you to further His kingdom?

     In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches on the Parable of the Talents, one of His best known stories.  A man was setting out on a long journey and met with three of his servants before he left. He entrusted a certain amount of money to each them to manage while he was absent. (A “talent” in the New Testament is a large amount of currency). To one servant he gave five talents, to another he gave two talents and to another one talent. The servants that received the five and two talents immediately invested their monies in a way that brought a significant return. But the servant who had received the one talent hid his money, burying it in the ground. After a long period of time, the master returned and wanted an account of how his money was used. The servants who had invested their talents and had a return were praised by the master and called “good and faithful servants”. But the one talent servant said to his master, “I was afraid and hid your talent in the ground”. At this, the master rebuked him, indicating his displeasure and that this excuse was not acceptable. His only responsibility with the one talent was to increase it, not to hide and keep it safe. The master ordered that the one talent should be taken from him and given to the servant who had produced the greatest return. 

   This well known parable is usually seen in a universal sense - that God expects His people to be responsible in using their resources, their natural abilities and their spiritual gifts to benefit His work. The number of talents given to each servant does not imply the value of the servant, each servant had a place in the master’s household. The text clearly states that both the five talent and the two talent servants were given the same praise and same reward by the master (vv. 21,23). There is no reason to believe that the one talent servant would not have received the same.

   How else could we understand this parable as it applies to us today? Let’s look at this story using a different lens. The talents could be compared to the opportunities that God gives us. I suggest that the five talent people are those who are very gifted. They know their gifts and manage them all well. But looking at the parable this way, the point is not their resources or gifts. God gives them multiple ways, or platforms to exercise their gifts. Their abilities enable them take full advantage of the many opportunities that come their way. Two talent and one talent Christians are be those who also have God given abilities and spiritual gifts, yet perhaps with fewer occasions to use them. 

The world runs on two talent people! Most of us do not have extraordinary giftedness or exceptional opportunities. Thousands of pastors, staff members and lay people serve God faithfully in small churches, small towns or rural communities across our nation. These are “two-talent” people in the sense that their opportunities are limited to some degree. Most of them will never pastor a megachurch, publish a book, have thousands of social media followers or have a national platform. Yet they faithfully and joyfully serve in the field where God has placed them, investing their time and energy in His kingdom (see 2 Corinthians10:13). Churches and ministries depend on the day in and day out work of quiet, ordinary people who, like the two talent servant, take the opportunities that God gives them, and use their gifts in His work. Maybe that means serving as a church administrator, a children’s worker, a church treasurer or serving in some capacity that largely goes unnoticed and perhaps unappreciated, as well. My spiritual growth began in earnest when I sat under a gifted woman Bible teacher at our small church in Oklahoma. I was taken with her passion, her knowledge of scripture and her genuine love for the women in our church. I desperately wanted what she had and I am still on that quest. She never spoke at a large conference, wrote a book or became famous. Her opportunities were limited but she used every last one of them to teach and encourage young women to follow Christ. She is a classic example of the two-talent Christian.    

The master praised the five and two talent servants, calling them “good and faithful”. What a contrast when we notice that he described the one-talent servant as “wicked and lazy”. That seems harsh, at first reading. But if we understand “wicked” to mean working against God’s purposes, then it becomes clear. If we are poor stewards of the gifts AND opportunities He has invested in us, then we have no part in His kingdom work. 

Looking at The Parable of the Talents from this perspective shows us that it is not only how many gifts we have been given, but our willingness to take every opportunity to use them faithfully and develop them for the glory of our Master. After mulling over this passage for several weeks, I’ve asked myself, “Have I been faithful to use the opportunities God has given me to further His kingdom?” Like the five and two talent servants, may we all be diligent and faithful in our service. 

     Spiritual leaders especially need to find effective ways to speak truth to others within a gospel context, in accordance with Eph. 4:15, "...speaking the truth in love." This is an essential skill to cultivate because we are occasionally called on to have this type of conversation with others. Your adult child, your close friend, a co-worker, church member or others may need to hear "truth" - but it must always be expressed in love, gentleness and respect. This verse is couched in Ephesians 4, a chapter devoted to promoting unity within the body of Christ. It is significant that these two virtues, truth and love, are linked together, indicating that true unity results from both. Speaking truth is the easy part - doing it with authentic grace takes it to another level.

    These three considerations may help you to "speak truth in love":

    Check your motivation. What is driving you? Has this person offended you? If so, are you pursuing a confrontation for your own purposes? Or, like the wife above, do you genuinely seek what is best for the other person? Take some time to think, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse your heart of any self serving attitudes. St. Teresa de Avila advised, "Be gentle with all and stern with yourself."

     Consider your timing, since you are looking to capture a moment when you have his or her ear. If the opportunity presents itself, don't hesitate. On the other hand, don't force it if you sense the time isn't right. Pray that God will open the door to a conversation, if He so wills. "How delightful is a timely word!" (Prov. 15:23)

     Come up with a "word picture". A word picture is a metaphorical story or scenario used to express a truth. For example, in 2 Samuel 12 the prophet Nathan confronted David regarding his adultery with Bathsheba. However, rather than immediately accusing him, he came in the back door of David's heart with his story of a poor family, a beloved pet lamb and a cruel rich man. Nathan skillfully wove this word picture in order that David might see his actions from God's perspective. Granted, this is a dramatic example - most of our situations are much more ordinary. Still, it illustrates an extremely effective way to communicate truth with someone in authority over you or someone who is resisting truth. 

     These conversations are not easy but they are necessary at times. "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer" (Prov. 15:28)

Our influence is temporary

It was given to us by God

It can be taken away

One day we will give an account for how we used it

Andy Stanley

This blog series has looked at leadership principles and influence from several different perspectives. As ministry wives, we have been entrusted with a platform of influence. We want to do it well!  One of the mantras of this series is that if we want to be an effective leader, we must be purposeful. That simply means that we are aware of this holy call on our lives and work diligently to steward it well. On the flip side, we waste our opportunities of influence when we…

1. Close ourselves off from people outside of our own family and closest friends. Because of the demands of life and ministry, we can neglect to cultivate relationships with those outside of our immediate circle. Ironically, as our circle of acquaintances grows, often our circle of those closest to us can shrink. At best, this is a result of busyness. At worst, however, it can be a result of just not caring. Pay attention to what is happening in your church family and your community. One of the reasons God made social media (some would challenge that!) is to give a quick overview of others’ lives. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep”, Rom. 12:15. It takes so little to voice your encouragement or concern but can carry such weight with others. Isolation never lends itself to leadership. 
2. Yield to cynicism. Always be suspicious that people have an ulterior motive or are wanting to use you in some way. Cynicism focuses on the worst in people, never the best, and is a joy destroyer. Yes, it is true people occasionally take advantage of us or betray our trust in some way. True, many of our expectations of life have not been met. Welcome to adulthood, it happens to everyone, certainly not just those in ministry. The danger of cynicism is that the distrust we feel towards others leads to a default stance of always thinking the worst about people. Stephen Colbert observed, “Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it.” This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be knowledgeable about human nature, but to remember Jesus’ words, “…be wise as serpents and gentle as doves” (Matt. 10:16).  
3. Regularly schedule “Poor Little Me” pity parties, indulging in self-pity or self-condemnation for all you are not. Believe the lie that you have nothing to offer and are totally inadequate. Someone once said “Self-pity tends to distort, like a fun-house mirror.” At its root, it posits that a mean God is intentionally withholding good from us. It’s also the root of just about every other sin of self-indulgence. I have had some of the finest pity parties ever held, and have learned that they are exhausting and fruitless. 
   

Andy’s quote carries a sense of urgency. We don’t have time to waste. Jesus’ parable of the talents illustrates this principle perfectly
(Matt. 25:   ). It does not matter 

What are some other ways we might squander our influence?

       I have frequently heard this response when sharing about “Passover for Christians”. Yes, Passover is a “Jewish thing”, but it's also a “Christian thing”! The two are closely related. Jesus celebrated Passover all of His life, including the night before He was crucified. At that meal (Matthew 26:17-30), Jesus instituted the “Lord’s Supper” (Communion), which is one of the two ordinances we observe. By understanding the Passover story, our understanding of the Lord’s Supper is greatly enhanced.    

     Exodus 12 recounts the dramatic story of the Israelites and their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. In order to convince Pharaoh to let His people go, God sent ten plagues on Egypt, the last being the death angel who would “pass over” every home, where every firstborn child would die. The Israelites would avoid this judgment, if they obeyed HIm. God instructed them to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood over the door posts of their homes, and prepare to quickly leave Egypt. They obeyed, their children were spared and they left slavery behind, journeying on to the Promised Land. From that point on God instructed them to observe Passover every year as a reminder of His deliverance, and so they have. Passover, (aka The Feast of Unleavened Bread), became a major Jewish holiday occurring in the spring of every year, frequently coinciding with Easter. 

     For believers, this story has a Christological meaning, pointing to the coming Messiah. The foods of Passover have symbolic meaning for our Jewish friends - the matzah is the unleavened bread that had to quickly be baked before leaving Egypt. The lamb shank bone represents the slaughter of the lambs and the wine represents the blood spread over the doorposts of each home. As believers, we see these metaphors as hallmarks of our faith. The lamb is Christ, our sacrifice; his shed blood is the wine, the unleavened bread represents His body. Each food of the Passover has a symbolic meaning, especially as we look at the meal through the lens of Christianity.

       Here is where we “connect the dots”. Passover is not an isolated story. It is an account of God’s redemption, which is the meta-narrative, or big story, of the Bible. In the Passover, we have the past (the Old Testament)  and Jesus’ institution of the Lords Supper (the New Testament). But wait - there’s more! We also have the future, as pictured in Rev 19:6-9, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. At that feast, all of Gods redeemed will be gathered in celebration of His final appearing. In this Story, we celebrate the past and look to His future promise.                

     But what does this mean to me, you ask. Consider this: Christians celebrate two major events on the church calendar - Christmas and Easter. Christmas observances are well established traditions in our homes and churches. But not so with Holy Week and Easter. How do we celebrate that season, besides maybe attending a Good Friday service, or an Easter egg hunt with the obligatory ham dinner? Participating in a Passover meal (seder), from a  Christian perspective, provides the perfect opportunity for believers to tell the story of Jesus in a fresh and creative way. By celebrating Passover during Holy Week, we prepare ourselves spiritually for Resurrection Sunday. We “step into HIs story” of redemption, eating the same foods as Jesus ate at His final Passover, reading the scriptures He read and understanding the rich symbolic meanings. It is time we, as followers of Christ, recapture the wonder and rich tradition of the Holy Week and Easter season. 

     In 1978 we moved from a small Oklahoma town to a new pastorate in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, which has a very large Jewish population. It was quite a cultural adjustment! We soon met a group of “Messianic Jews”, who were believers in Christ, but remained in their Jewish culture regarding their feasts, traditions, etc. These new friends introduced us to the Passover from a Christian perspective and we were taken with its beauty and mystery. Many years later, after moving to Dallas, Texas, I met up with my friend, Melanie Leach, who was already holding Passover meals in her home during Holy Week. Through our collaboration, we launched “Passover for Christians”, co-authoring Passover for Christians: Creating a New Easter Tradition and teaching workshops, seminars, and seder presentations to anyone interested. We have done Passovers for children’s ministries, women’s bible studies, Christian schools and other venues. But our very favorite Passover celebrations are the ones we hold in our own homes and around our own table. 

     The Passover meal is both a ceremonial meal and a normal meal. All of the participants take turns reading or telling Bible stories and reading various scriptures, psalms, prayers - all from a “Seder Guide”. It's not meant to be a stiff, formal meal, but one where children take part and there is conversation. For adults, it is a perfect time to share spiritual stories and experiences that have shaped us. We have had a seder every year in our home since our grandkids were little. Yes, they wiggle, pronounce the food “gross”, interrupt and do everything kids do! But that's part of the charm - it's a family celebration. At a seder, the ceremonial foods are served for each person to taste - the matzah crackers, horseradish, haroset (apples and cinnamon), a green vegetable and saltwater. Each food has a meaning and is explained. Obviously this kind of “meal” is not meant to satisfy hunger, but a illustrate a spiritual truth. After the ceremonial meal, we serve a regular dinner. Melanie is a foodie and goes all out with Mediterranean dishes and foods that fit the theme of the night. The Hawkins are happy with chicken fajitas! Either way, we say  “Make it your own!” Serve a meal that your family or guests enjoy and use the time to talk about the significance of our faith. 

     So why should Christians care about Passover? Because by observing this meal during Holy Week, we “step into His story” and follow Christs example the night before He went to the cross. And believe me, once you do this, Easter will never be the same.

   You can find resources, recipes and free downloads on the Passover seder at www.passoverforchristians.com.  

This blog was first published on January 21, 2021.

   (Let me say, however, that clearly it is much more dangerous for your children to NOT be brought up in a believing home, as opposed to an unbelieving one.)

   So what exactly is the “danger” referred to in the book’s title? The danger is that rather than passing on the baton of a strong, living faith, we pass on to our children a lifestyle of church culture and/or legalistic rules and thinking. As in a relay, as the runners strive for a smooth passing of the baton. It is crucial in the race. So how can we best pass the baton of faith to the next generation?

     This is not a new challenge. Every generation of believing parents has had the same dilemma. In Judges 2:7-10, we see this very situation. Joshua was approaching death and gathered the Israelites to address them. He challenged them to serve God and not follow the gods of the Amorites. But verse 10 says that, “....the next generation did not worship Jehovah as their God and did not care about the mighty miracles he had done for Israel.” 

You could say that Joshua and his generation, were like first generation Christians. They had seen God’s miraculous works first hand, experienced God’s provisions in the wilderness. But this new generation was different, that was not their story. Obviously growing up in the presence of godly parents did not automatically guarantee that the children would have the same degree of faith as that generation. God may have been real to their parents, but He wasn’t to their children. They had dropped the baton.  Obviously God knew of this challenge and would teach this younger generation obedience and faith differently than he taught their parents (see Judges 3:1-2). Don’t miss this - personal spiritual experiences cannot be handed off. Each person has to find their own walk with God. God intended another process to teach the younger generation obedience and faith, as they conquered the land. Each generation must find their own spiritual way. 

   As we pass off the baton of faith, here are three things to remember:

   We need to have a clear definition of sin, according to the Bible. As Dr. Sloat says, “...when sin is defined ... primarily in terms of behavior to be avoided instead of an inner state of being, the stage is set for a variety of negative and unhealthy responses to take place.” 

External behavior may demonstrate a sinful choice but the root problem is inner rebellion, disobedience or faithlessness. If sin is defined as a “Master List of Do’s and Don’ts” the understanding of sin is distorted. We all know plenty of people, including ourselves, who conformed to an outward standard of conduct but were in total rebellion spiritually. As parents, we need to be aware of this truth and teach our kids to be aware of it also. 

    Another important factor in encouraging our children’s faith is to be willing to discuss their doubts and spiritual struggles. The Fuller Youth Institute recently launched a three year study that looked at 500 youth group graduates. Over 70% of churchgoing high schoolers reported having serious doubts about their faith. The students’ opportunities to express and explore their doubts with adults correlated with a greater spiritual maturity in time. Often parents are afraid of conversations about faith because they don’t know the answer to difficult questions or worry they might say the wrong thing. But often kids just need the opportunity to express themselves and simply need their parent to be willing to go there with them.  It’s even better if the parent agrees to seek out answers with their child and explore their questions. And, when parents share their own journeys of faith and struggles, it opens the door to faith conversations. And that is healthy. 

    Finally it is important to remember that children are not robots. The passing of the baton process is not guaranteed success due to some formula. Often we think that if we provide a Christian home environment, and a Christian school, and keep them active in a church ministry then our children with automatically be committed Christians. But that discounts human nature - the choices our children make regarding their faith and their desire (or lack of) to know God. Of course parents will make mistakes, but the bottom line is that those blunders do not determine a child’s authentic faith. Ultimately the child must make those choices. So we are back where we started - God has no grandchildren. 

    Our desire is that our children develop a genuine and viable faith, and our prayer is that we will lead them to do it well. Whatever unintentional mistakes parents and children make, God’s grace sustains us all. Pass the baton with wisdom and grace, and watch God work in your children’s lives.

This type of literature can take various forms. Some are in calendar outline, others in short meditations. A devotional may be penned in book form, with chapters, intended for meditation rather than daily use. Often it is similar to a diary or a journal. Whatever form it takes, the purposes are generally the same: self introspection and spiritualencouragement, mostly taken from the author’s own experiences and insights. It is common for the devotional thought to consist of a scripture reference, quote or an account of a Biblical event. From that point, the writer explores various applications with her own perspective and wisdom. Often a prayer or a meditative thought is included.

It is interesting that so many popular devotional books today were written almost a century ago, including Streams in the Desert by Lettie Cowman and My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It is also remarkable that many contemporary devotional writers have studied the medieval writers,, drawing upon their spiritual experiences and showing a timeless appreciation of their devotional work. The writers of these books aree generally unknown in the literary world, yet their works have influenced thousands of people. They often present interesting historical and cultural statements concerning the reconciliation of Biblical truths, God’s ways and the everyday struggles of life. Often these works differ in theological details, in spirit and in thought, but the overriding themes are always inspirational and offer timeless encouragement and hope to readers of all ages and times. They are like OLD FRIENDS who continue to speak to us year after year.

“The medieval period was rich with Christian life, the eager search for intimacy with the living god as well as constant prayer and careful thinking in edifying relationships with other believers.”[1] These mystics were often the inspiration for the modern day devotional writers. Writers such as Julian of Norwich emphasized the emotional and passionate element of faith. Her spiritual quest reflected an intense hunger for God and a reaction to the corruption of the church at that time. Julian was a Benedictine nun who lived in Norwich England in the 14^th century. Her two best known works are Revelations of Divine Loveand Showings. Julian was well educated and was skilled in understanding the Vulgate and the teachings of the church. Her book Revelations distinguishes her today as the first great female writer in the English language (Amy Oden, In Her Own Words). As was the case with many of the mystics, Julian suffered from serious illnesses, but according to her own account, while praying one day, she heard God speak to her about His love and goodness. It was this encounter with the Lord that encouraged her to begin to write about God’s compassion and grace, love and mercy. These are the overriding themes in all her works and she used them to encourage her readers to reflect on the goodness of God. This is especially significant when we consider the times in which Julian lived.

“Given her own age’s insistence on God’s punishment for sin, Julian turns her attention to the Trinity and to Christ’s role in mediating love and compassion for a fallen humanity.”[2]

In the middle ages, the justice and judgment of God was emphasized – Christ as warrior, King, winning victory over His (and the church’s) enemies. So, in the context of her times, this perspective was a fresh one. Julian emphasized God’s love and the human need for it. She frequently used the metaphor of Christ’s love and maternal love, which was characterized by nurturing and tenderness. She considered one’s meditating on the goodness of God to be “the highest form of prayer.”

“For we are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it. No created being can ever know how much and how sweetly and tenderly God loves them. It is only with the help of His grace that we are able to persevere in spiritual contemplation with endless wonder at his high, surpassing, immeasurable love which our Lord in His goodness has for us.”[3]

Julian’s obervations are important in light of the modern Christian’s perception of God’s goodness. Some people consider God’s goodness to be show primarily in His material blessings, but her emphasis on divine love and the spiritual life of devotion and prayer helps the searching soul to see the spiritual dimension of God’s great love for mankind.

Another well known mystical devotional writer is Teresa of Avila who lived in Spain in the 16^th century. Always interested in spirituality, Teresa entered a Carmelite convent in the city of Avila at age 20. While there she became seriously ill and was forced to spend time in quietness, reading books about the spiritual life. Soon after her recovery, she had a vision of Christ. This vision led her to establish new Carmelite convents that were soley devoted to the contemplative life and the study of Scripture. She was a “reformer” of the medieval church and worked alongside John of the Cross by establishing 14 monasteries. She is quoted as once saying, “How is it, my God, that Youhave given me this hectic life and so little time to enjoy Your presence?” (Now really! How busy can you be in a convent!!) However, she is best known for her devotions on the spiritual life in her works Autobiography, Way of Perfection and Interior Castle.Her theme is always prayer, and in Interior Castle, she describes the spiritual journey in allegory, using the rooms of a castle. She begins with the soul outside of the castle, then entering the castle and traveling through the many rooms until it reaches the center room where it is united with God. Using this word picture, Teresa urges her readers to engage in serious prayer and strive to reach oneness with God. Her unique view of prayer and service is illustrated throughout this book. Much of Teresa’s work is difficult to understand, but her emphasis is always on spiritual growth. Unlike some ascetics, Teresa’s focus was not on penance, but on developing an increasing love for God and for His people.

“For our works have no value unless they are united with faith, and our faith has no value unless it is united with works. May God grant us the ability to see how much we cost him, to see that the servant is not greater than the Masster, to see that we must work if we would enjoy His glory. For this reason we must pray, lest we continually enter into temptation.” [4]

The writings of mystic Jeanne-Marie Guyon are one of the great legacies of the church. Madame Guyon lived in late 17^th century France. One can not truly appreciate the spiritual understanding and depth of Guyon unless one understands the context of her times. The 17^th century world was very cynical, skeptical and disillusioned with religious institutions. This was primarily due to the Thirty Years War and the depraved court life of Louis XIV, who claimed to be a Christian. Additionally, the movement of rationalism was emerging, signaling a fascination with the intellect. Therefore, a heartfelt faith in Christ was not only viewed with disdain, but was also seen as a threat, since anything that might destabilize the church would destabilize the government. That in turn would cause the nobility to lose its wealth and influence. Thus, Madame Guyon’s faith in Jesus was seen as a threat to the religious and social order of the day.[5] The church was corrupt, and it valued human reasoning and internal politics more than faith. Because of these conditions and because of her openness regarding her prayer life and her walk with God, Madame Guyon faced intense persecution.

Although she was born into a religious family, Guyone suffered illness and rejection as a child. She married early (as most women did) and endured more suffering and abuse from her invalid husband and mother in law. For the rest of her life she endured persecution and imprisonment, simply because she believed with all her heart (and insisted on sharing this with others) that Christians should experience the richness of personal prayer with God.[6] This was one of her major themes – finding a spiritually deep, personal walk with God. After being widowed, Madame Guyon traveled extensively through France and Switzerland teaching on the contemplation of God. She was soon imprisoned by jealous authorities who resented her popularity with the common people and saw her faith as a threat to the church. Most of her sixty books and poems were written while in the Bastille. One of her great contributions to devotional literature is the book entitled Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ, which she wrote during the time of her imprisonment. This book reportedly had enormous influence on Watchman Nee, Francois Fenelon, John Wesley and Hudson Taylor.[7] It is also said that Adonirum Judson, the martyred American missionary to Burma, comforted himself in prison by repeating Guyon’s verse to God:

No bliss I seek, but to fulfill

In life, in death, Thy lovely will

No succor in my woes I want

Except what Thou art pleased to grant

Our days are numbered – let us spare

Our anxious hearts a needless care;

‘Tis Thine to number out our days,

And ours to give them to Thy praise.[8]

Although Madame Guyon was not the leader of an official reform movement, her influence was profoundly felt in Europe and still is today. She is widely read and is regarded as one of the greats in mystical devotional literature.

Frances Ridley Havergal was a devotional writer, poet, hymnist, and musician who was born in 1836 to a cultured, religious family in Worcestershire, England. She was the youngest child of William Havergal, a church musician who wrote around one hundred hymns. Frances was very bright and began reading the Bible at age four and age seven she began writing verse.[9] At fourteen she was converted and began memorizing the New Testament and Psalms. She was educated at private schools in England and Germany, where she excelled at language, particularly Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Although she was a socially refined woman, Frances had a simple, but strong, faith in her Lord. She was disciplined in prayer and once stated that she never wrote a line without first praying over it.[10] Gradually, all of her work was directed toward sacred music and devotional writings. Her most famous hymn is “Take My Life and Let It Be”, in which she penned these words, “Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold.” At that time she had just sent many of her lovely jewels and dressing room ornaments to her church missionary house where they would be sold and used in God’s work. Later she said, “I don’t think I ever packed a box with such pleasure.”[11]Franceswrote many other hymns, including “I Gave My Life for Thee’, “Like a River Glorious”, and “I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus”. Frances also wrote numerous devotional tracts and small books of poems and hymn texts. The themes of her work were simple faith, consecration and service. An interesting note is that she was a contemporary of another beloved hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. Although they never met, they each admired the other and corresponded by letter. In one of Frances’ letters she wrote,

“Dear blind sister over the sea,

An English heart goes forth to thee,

We are linked by a cable of faith and song,

Flashing bright sympathy swift along,

One in the east and one in the west

Singing for Him whom our souls love best

Sister, what shall our meeting soon be

When our hearts shall sing and our eyes shall see?[12]

One of Frances’ most loved works is Royal Invitation; Daily Thoughts on Coming to

Christ,which was published in 1882.

“’Come unto Me.’ This is the Royal Invitation. For it is given by the King of kings. We are so familiar with the words, that we fail to realize them. May the Holy Spirit open our ear that we may hear the voice of our King in them, and that they may reach our souls with imperative power.”[13]

Frances Havergal eloquently expresses the heart of believers and those who wholly

consecrate their lives to Christ.

One of the most widely read authors and outstanding missionaries of the church wasAmy Carmichael, an Irish woman who served fifty-five years in India ministering to the poor and disadvantaged. She was also an accomplished writer with thirty five books to her credit.Amywas born in 1867 and fale called to missions as a young teenager. After a short stint in Japan, she felt led to Indian, where she would spend the rest of her life. She moved to Dohnavur and became i

involved in the work for which she will always be remembered. Amy began noticing the young girls that were being sold by their families and forced to become temple prostitutes in the pagan temples. During this time, she met a young girl who had literally escaped from the Temple authorities, terrified of life there. Her mother had forced her to return (because she had sold her to the Temple priests) andher little hands had been branded with hot irons as punishment. She again ran away, and Amy immediately took her in. Thus, her rescue work began to take shape.[1] This quickly led to bitter enemies in her community who hated her and her work and did everything within their power to thwart her ministry and rescue attempts of these young girls. Additionally, being a single woman on the mission field made life even more difficult for her. The loneliness, depression and anxiety were overwhelming to her at times, but Amy found great strength in God, who had promised her during a time of great fear of her future, that “None of them that trust in Me shall be desolate.” According to her own testimony, God fulfilled that word to her by meeting her in prayer and contemplation.[2] It was during those years of seeing the degradation of the pagan lifestyle and intense sufferings of the Indian people that Amy wrote some of her most profound works.

One of her most well-loved devotional books is If. It was written for Christians who had “the solemn charge of caring for the souls of others”, which was her life mission. This book succinctly described the message of the cross which she calls “Calvary love.” Elizabeth Elliot credited Ifwith helping her understand that being crucified with Christ was not “a morbid thing, but the very gateway to Life.”[3] Amy wrote “Some of the ‘ifs’ appear to be related to pride, selfishness, or cowardice, but digging deeper we come upon an unsuspected lovelessness at the root of them all.”[4]Thisis the heart of her message: Calvary love.

“If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any, if I can speak in a casual way even of a child’s misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I put my own happiness before the well-being of the work entrusted to me; if, though I have this ministry and have received much mercy, I faint, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”[5]

Her piercing words call readers across the years to love with “Calvary love”, which can only be found in a life devoted to Christ.

Springs in the Valley and Streams in the Desertare two of the most popular devotional books of the twentieth century[6] written by Mrs. Charles (Lettie) Cowman. In order to appreciate the contribution made by Mrs. Cowman, one must first understand what was happening in the country at that time. The decade of the 1920s was the time of the Scopes “monkey trial” and anti-Darwinians. Bookstores in the country were flooded with requests for works on science and evolution. However, another instant best seller was Mrs. Cowman’s Streams in the Desert, perhaps a backlash to the anti-Christian diatribes of the day.[7]

Charles and Lettie Cowman had been missionaries to Asia from 1901 to 1917. Because of their difficult work on the mission field and because of the heartache she endured while sitting by her husband’s deathbed for several years, Mrs. Cowman wrote Streams in the Desertin 1925 to strengthen discouraged and weary believers. Several years later she published the companion work entitled Springs in the Valley. Mrs.Cowman’s work is especially interesting because she is one of the first modern devotional writers who used the daily “calendar” form, which is a reading for each day of the year.[8] Within her devotionals are references to many other works by outstanding Christian writers, such as F.B. Meyer, C.G. Trumbull, A.B. Simpson and other poets and religious writers.[9] Mrs. Cowman sets up her theme of overcoming suffering by quoting Julian of Norwich in the foreword to a less known devotional book entitled Handfuls of Purpose: “He said not thou shalt not be tempted; thou shalt not be afflicted, but He did say, thou shalt not be overcome.”[10]

Mrs. Cowman’s devotionals repeatedly emphasize this theme. First, the calendar form assumes that the believer will make time during the day for meditation each day of the year. She obviously expected her readers to read her book year after year. She uses metaphors and her own experiences to encourage her readers to do what they already know to do, not to necessarily provide them with new insights. Secondly, her titles also reflect her theme, picturing the Biblical metaphors of spiritual thirst and hunger. Mrs. Cowman writes about her own griefs, questions and sorrows, and she makes her readers her intimate companions on a spiritual quest, seeking spiritual water in the desert of life.[11]

“’He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills’ (Psalm 104: 10). Let us claim our inheritance in these coming days, and find the hardest places of life’s experience God’s greatest opportunities and faith’s mightiest challenge. Springs in the valley are very unusual; but He will give us both the upper and the nether springs.’”[12]

One of the best loved devotional books of all times is My Utmost for His Highestby Oswald Chambers. However, this book (and many others) was made possible only through the tireless efforts of his wife, Gertrude. Oswald Chambers was born in Scotland in 1874 and was educated at London’s Royal College of Art and at the University of Edinburgh. At the age of twenty-two he felt God calling him into ministry. Eventually he met Gertrude Hobbs who was accomplished at shorthand and stenography. They married and opened their hope in Clapham, England to students interested in Bible studies and courses that would prepare them for the ministry. Biddy (as Oswald called her), began her ministry of hospitality at this time and continued it for many, many years. When World War I began, Oswald felt God calling him to minister to the troops on the front. In October of 1915 he left Gertrude and their two and a half year old daughter, Kathleen, for Egypt. Soon after, they joined him, and Oswald served as Chaplain while Gertrude used their home for ministry. In 1917 he tragically died of complications following an operation to remove his appendix, only forty-three years old. One hundred officers escorted the gun carriage bearing the coffin. They walked the entire funeral route with arms reversed – a tribute to a beloved and respected man.[13] Gertrude and Kathleen returned to England, and she began the painstaking work of transcribing her notes, which had been taken from her husband’s lectures. She began to send the transcripts to those who were interested, and eventually Oswald Chambers Publications was born.[14]My Utmost for His Highestwas first published in 1923 and has remained in print ever since. In 1966 Gertrude died, knowing that she had fulfilled the ministry God had entrusted to her. This woman, who remained hidden behind the work of her husband, did a powerful work for the Kingdom of God. In the foreword to My Utmost, Gertrude gives the background of the material that was taken from Oswald’s lectures at the Bible Training College in England and at the Y.M.C.A. Huts in Egypt. She gives her reason for compiling the devotionals:

“’Men return again and again to the few who have mastered the spiritual secret, whose life has been hid with Christ in God. These are of the old time religious, hung to the nails of the cross’ (Robert Murray McCheyne).

It is because it is felt that the author is one to whom teaching men will return, that this book has been prepared, and it is sent out with the prayer that day by day the messages may continue to bring the quickening of life and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”[15]

She signs her name as only “B.C.”, a tribute to a humble woman, who found her mission in life. All believers since that time are indebted to her.

Catherine Marshall, another well known and loved Christian writer wrote devotional material, although not in a “calendar” form. Catherine, born in 1914, was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister in Tennessee. Always a quiet and studious young woman, Catherine attended Agnes Scott College in Georgia and graduated in 1936. While she was there, she met Peter Marshall, pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Upon their marriage in 1936, Catherine immediately entered the public eye. Her husband became pastor of the prestigious New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. soon after their marriage. As one would expect, Catherine became very involved in church ministry and service. Peter Marshall was an eloquent and winsome speaker, tall and nice looking with an intriguing Scottish accent (his family had immigrated from Scotland). He quickly became very popular and respected in Christian circles, and he and Catherine enjoyed a very successful ministry together. But in 1943, Catherine was struck with tuberculosis, which was then a serious and life-threatening disease. She spent the next two years bed-ridden, struggling through a crisis of her faith.[16]

She slowly recovered, but would be in poor health for the rest of her life. Peter Marshall suffered a serious heart attack in 1947, the year he was named as Chaplain to the United States Senate. He served in the Senate in that position for two years, until he died of a second heart attack in 1949.

Thus Catherine Marshall, at age 35, was forced to begin a new life as a widow. She was approached by the publishing company of Fleming Revell to edit some of her husband’s sermons, which resulted in the book Mr. Jones, Meet the Master. This volume became a best-seller, leading to a full biography of Peter Marshall entitled A Man CalledPeter. This book reached bestseller status in ten days and remained there for three years.[17]Catherine then began to write extensively. She wrote To Live AgainandBeyond Ourselves, reflecting and meditating on losing a loved one and facing life alone. She wrote numerous books on prayer, including Something More, Adventures in Prayer,The Helperand A Closer Walk. One of her best known works is the inspirational novel Christy,a story which took place in the mountains of West Virginia, not far from her native Tennessee. It is significant that Catherine Marshall’s works became so well known among the American public. It should be noted that her career testified to the way in which most women’s religious concerns of her day became increasingly public throughout the course of the century. Her openness, her steadfast faith even during times of great doubt, and her desire to share her insights with others touched the hearts and minds of Christians and non-Christians alike. She was an editor of Guideposts magazine, she helped establish a publishing company, and she spoke frequently at conferences until her death in 1983. Catherine’s personal struggles with sickness and death and the believer’s hope in God’s goodness and faithfulness are the themes of her devotional writings.

“I believe that the old cliché, ‘God helps those who help themselves’ is not only misleading but often dead wrong. My most spectacular answers to prayers have come when I was so helpless, so out of control as to be able to do nothing at all for myself.

The Psalmist says, ‘When I was hemmed in, thou has freed me often.’ Gradually I have learned to recognize this hemming-in as one of God’s most loving devices for teaching us that He is real and gloriously adequate for our problems.”[18]

A modern day devotional writer is found in best selling author Kathleen Norris. Although she does not write in the form of a daily devotional, her books clearly fit the genre of this literature. A poet and writer, Norris returned as an adult to her native South Dakota from the stimulating literary community of New York City. Her life there opened up another world to her, especially in her interaction with a Benedictine monastery in her community. Kathleen was raised a Protestant with little knowledge of religion and with many doubts regarding Christianity. Nevertheless, she often felt an interest in spiritual matters, a quest which she began in earnest as an adult writer. Her first two books were The Cloister Walk andDakota, both critically acclaimed. In these works she explores the daily demands of life with the admonitions and teachings of scripture, usually observed at the monastery. Like many devotional writers, she does not claim to always have answers to her questions, but she finds solace and rest in Biblical truths. It has been said of her,

“Norris writes in the spirit and shape of Terersa of Avila’s meditations on the language of faith, focusing on those words that before her conversion repelled, confused, or dismayed her – hard words like Christ, salvation, repentance, heresy. Hers is a theology that any woman devotional writer from the middle ages would have recognized, for not only does Norris share the shape and form but also the humility of those writers, asking readers to forgive her shortcomings while entering into the process of faith.”[19]

In Amazing Grace; A Vocabulary of Faith,Norris begins her eighty entries with a quote (true to the devotional form). In light of this history of devotional writings, it is especially interesting that Kathleen is drawn to medieval writers and thinkers. She says,

“I think we could use more medieval thinking these days, and not less. We might come to value the mindset that could conceive of poetry, religion, medicine, and the natural sciences as discipline having more in common than not, employing much of the same language, metaphor and imagery.”[20]

Perhaps Amazing Gracecould be considered a continuation of medieval thinking in the tradition of devotional literature. She has been called an “heir” of earlier medieval writers.[21] The worlds of Kathleen Norris and the women mystics of medieval times are vastly different, and yet their insights reconciling faith and life are amazingly similar.

(Read from Dakota,pg 186)

Each woman who enters this genre shapes it for her own time. All of these writers and many others, reveal their hunger for spiritual nurturance and daily sustenance, obviously a universal need.

Suzanne Forbes has written an interesting book on devotional literature called Women of Devotion Through the Centuries. She makes this observation,

“The devotional is democratic, by which I mean that it turns no one away. It reflects Christ’s words, inviting everyone who is weary to come. All are welcome. None are excluded…It lies close to home, indeed even becoming home, a place for pilgrims to rest, recuperate, and then return to the daily demands life makes.”[22]

These constantly repeated themes of suffering, hope and trust that speak to followers of Christ over hundreds of years give us a sense of transcendence. Despite the drastically diverse cultures and lifestyles between their worlds and ours, their words of wisdom, quickly digested and meditated on throughout the day give strength to the weary. These women and many others exhort us to persevere and trust our lives to our

Our daughters were elementary school age at this time and, as all kids are, mine were very curious about our house guest. When I introduced them, Marge promptly sat down on our sofa and asked them to join her. They began to eagerly converse about their day, their school, friends, likes, dislikes, you name it. I remember watching this scenario and thinking, “She’s talking to them like they were real people!” After about twenty minutes they were all BFFs and Marge was the topic of family conversations for a long time after the conference.

Marge Caldwell was a winsome woman. According to its definition, winsome is defined as “Generally pleasing and engaging; a childlike charm, one who causes pleasure, appealing.” Let’s look at those qualities a little closer:

• "Upbeat" ? A winsome woman is positive and generally cheerful, one who looks for the best in people and situations. In my opinion, it also means a woman who doesn’t take herself too seriously: she can laugh at herself.
• "Childlike charm" ? There is a mountain of difference between "childishness" and "childlikeness." Childishness carries the meaning of selfishness and immaturity, but childlikeness implies innocence or simple trust. How appealing that is in a person! No sneering cynicism, sarcasm or skepticism, but a winsome woman looks for and believes in the best in others. (If you have been in ministry for a while, this can be challenging.)
• "One who causes pleasure" ? A woman who is genuinely interested in others rather than herself is a winsome woman. I doubt now if Marge Caldwell really wanted to know what was going on in the third grade at Peters Elementary, but you sure could have fooled me that day. A person who is interested in others invites conversation and sharing on a deeper level. A winsome woman can forget about herself.

In the context of ministry life, winsomeness takes on even more weight. As we meet people who know nothing of the saving grace of Christ, we must be winsome witnesses. As we help bear others burdens, we must do it with winsomeness. As we grow older, we are winsome when we encourage the younger generation and believe in them. We are winsome when we refuse to look back at hurts but look forward to God’s blessings.

The Old English root of “winsome” is wynn, which means “joy.” And that says it all.

But that wasn't the cause of her current anguish. She had just heard that he had already married the other woman, been promoted in his job, was traveling on exotic trips and had even returned to church. She was struggling with the age-old question: If he was so wrong to leave her, then why was his life going so well? She, on the other hand, was left to deal with broken-hearted children, financial stresses, and the humiliation of it all. Where was God in all this? Why was their life going so well and hers was so painfully difficult?

As I listened to her, I thought of Psalm 73. Asaph, the author asked the very same questions my friend was asking. Just like Asaph, she was living in Psalm 73. Look at the pattern:

In the first two verses, Asaph affirms his faith in God's goodness but then confesses that his faith is faltering. He is troubled because he sees the proud (unbelievers or the unrepentant) living in ease, wealth, and leisure. He can't reconcile what he sees with the teaching in the Law - the promises of blessings to the obedient and judgment on the disobedient. He continues to list his complaints: he is envious of their "prosperity" ("shalom" in the Hebrew). They are healthy, problem-free, boastful of their possessions, corrupt, and have no mercy on the poor. And Asaph isn't the only one troubled by all of this. God's people are confused also, asking if God even notices these injustices and what is happening in their world.

He takes his frustration a step further by asking what good has it done him to keep an obedient heart? All he has is trouble and pain. If that's not bad enough, he feels constrained to keep these observations to himself because he has influence with God's people as a leader. By verse 16, he is ready to throw in the towel and be done with it all.

But the Psalm abruptly pivots in verse 17, with a drastic change of focus. Asaph found himself in God's "sanctuary", which most likely was the Temple, the dwelling place of God's glory. Temple worship consisted of reading the Law, singing, worship, and prayer. What happened to Asaph there? His heart was softened. His attention was drawn away from the wicked to the glory and majesty of God. His focus changed from "them" to himself and God. He was no longer contrasting the wicked with the good, but looking at God alone.

We can almost hear Asaph saying, "What was I thinking?" He confessed his bitterness, his foolishness and recounted the spiritual blessings that were his "glorious destiny". He sums up his new perspective, saying, "How good it is to be near God!" Asaph ends up where he started - affirming the goodness and blessing of God.

My friend, just like Asaph, has discovered the life-giving mindset of being in "the sanctuary"- being still and entering into God's presence. Once there, her thinking was transformed and her spirit made strong, just as Asaph's was.

Occasionally I get a text from her, saying she has been in "the sanctuary" and I know exactly what that means! Living IN the Psalms has carried my friend through dark days and is a continual source of strength and comfort for her. Watching her and learning from her faith struggle has sharpened me - and driven me to the Psalms time and time again.

Believers are not exempt from struggling with the unfairness of life, just as my friend has. While their issues may not be marriage related, the principle is the same. Turning our eyes toward God and off of others brings us a fresh assurance of His presence and eternal graces toward those who trust Him and seek to live in His sanctuary.

1. Face the “What if...?”

Years ago I learned a valuable lesson when I least expected it (isn't that how it always happens?) One of our young daughters had plaguing allergies. At that time, traveling always exacerbated her problems, making her miserable. One Sunday morning prior to a family trip, I ran into Luanna, one of my prayer partners. I asked her to pray that Holly's allergies would not flare up while traveling. She agreed, then casually remarked, “But if they do, it's not the end of the world.” I was stunned. I could not believe her insensitivity. I fumed all during church but later that afternoon, I began to think about it. Actually Luanna was right. Yes, it had happened before. Yes, we had managed to get through it, and no, it wasn't the end of the world. I learned something valuable that day. When I am fearful and embark on “What If Road”, the bravest thing I can do is follow it to the very end and look at the worst case scenario. Yes, the “what if” could end badly, but it rarely does. And even if the worst happens, hasn't God given us assurances of His faithfulness and provision? Do I truly believe Him? Facing a fear boldly is empowering and keeps us anchored to God's promises.

2. Remind yourself how little control you actually have over your life.

Our anxieties should remind us that we have needs and limitations that only Jesus can manage. To expend energy worrying over something we cannot control is counter productive. Rhett Smith, an author and therapist says in “The Anxious Christian” that God can use anxiety to bring us closer to Him. Fellow worrier Laura Ortberg Turner says, “...anxiety can remind me constantly and fruitfully of my joyful dependence on and confidence in God.”

3. Cultivate gratitude. “Gratitude is the key that unlocks the door of an anxious and fearful heart.”

This is the most effective method to manage worry - recounting specific instances of God's goodness and care for us, and thanking Him for it. I recently laid awake for hours one night, imagining the worst scenario for one of my family members. Yes, it was the “What If” trap, and once again, I tumbled right into it. The next morning I realized how foolish I had been (things always seem worse at night) and I repented, asking God's forgiveness. I was so ashamed. How dishonoring that was to my Lord Who has poured out blessing upon blessing upon me and mine! I realized anew- gratitude is my best weapon against my anxieties.

It is reassuring that Jesus knew that life would bring us worries. He put it succinctly in John 14: 1, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me”.

What is the ultimate cure for anxiety? Jesus Himself, and He invites us to share our wearisome burdens with Him, “Come unto Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”, (Matt. 11:28-29.)

I recently ran across a book by R.T. Kendall, Jealousy; The Sin No One Talks About. I can't possibly do his book justice here, so I encourage you to read it for yourself. R.T. has a unique way of being very direct, applying common sense and keen biblical insight to a subject, which makes for an excellent perspective. His title is spot on - we don’t talk about our jealousies because its, well, embarrassing and makes us look petulant, immature and selfish - which we often are.

If you do a word study on this topic, you will find hundreds of references to jealousy and envy, as they are synonyms. However, R.T. differentiates between the two in that envy is a more passive emotion, usually resulting from covetousness. Jealousy, however, goes beyond envy and is more active, a resentment of others successes. It is “bent on vengeance”. But both are equally destructive.

I have told my children countless times (and reminded myself) that anyone can weep with you. It is only your true friends who will rejoice with you when you are successful or blessed- and there may be less of them than you might think. You can lay that at the feet of jealousy.

Focusing on this theme in scripture reveals that it was the root cause of all kinds of evil, from the beginning of human history. Sibling rivalry was fueled by jealousy - think of Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Rachel and Leah, Joseph and his brothers, Moses and Aaron and Miriam - and that just takes us through Numbers! (I suspect it is still a major cause of fractured relationships between adult siblings today). It was raging jealousy that led to the death plots of David, the infants of Bethlehem, John the Baptist and Jesus. Matthew tells us that the Pharisees plotted Jesus’ death because of their “envy” of him and his popularity. This is a serious sin, we best not take it lightly.

But Scripture also speaks of godly jealousy, and this is an interesting twist on this subject. R.T. says, “God's Jealousy Proves His Love”. God's jealousy is not sin, but springs from His immense love for us and His desire for our good. In contrast, human jealousy comes out of selfish desires, resentment and impure motives. The Scripture above clearly indicates that peace of mind and jealousy are polar opposites.

So the question is this: what do we do when jealousy sets in? Here are a few suggestions:

Admit it, say it, call it out: “I am jealous of______ because_________.” This step is the most difficult, as we hate to admit our sin. But we also must ask the Spirit to help us understand the root of our problem, the cause of our jealousy.

Confess it as sin.

Repent.

Pray a blessing on those of whom you are jealous. Pray it until you mean it.

Spend some time focusing on your own uniqueness, your calling, who you are, how God has gifted, blessed and used you.

Finally, cultivate thankfulness for God's blessings in your life.

What will you undertake this coming year that will require courage?

God's people have always been called to bravery. Obeying God, especially when it's to our own disadvantage, is the crux of the Christian life. Scripture tells multiple stories of those who demonstrated true bravery in the context of their times.

In Joshua 1:1-9, God instructed Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land, their inheritance as His people. In this passage God directed them to “be strong and courageous” three times, promising that He would never leave them. The Israelites had a daunting challenge – going to war with the inhabitants of the land who were fierce adversaries. They were terrified these enemies (see Numbers 13) yet God promised them (and many others throughout scripture) repeatedly to not be afraid because He would be with them. Courage is faith and fearlessness.

Due to their repeated disobedience and wickedness, God allowed the Babylonians and Assyrians to take the Israelites into captivity for approximately seventy years (Jeremiah 29:4). Psalm 137 was the national lament in response to such a devastating disaster. “How can we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?” Yet many of the Jews defied their captors and persevered in their worship of Yahweh, still believing in His goodness and His promises, even in the most hostile of cultures. The stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego testify to their dogged faithfulness and God's miraculous provision. Courage demonstrates trust.

First century believers also answered the call to live as “aliens and strangers” in the land, risking their very lives for the Gospel (1 Peter 2:11-12). Followers of Jesus faced intense persecution and often death due to their insistence that there was One Lord. Jesus had repeatedly taught that the Kingdom of God was not a political or even religious system. He said to the Pharisees, “The Kingdom of God is in your midst...” (Luke 17:20-21). This conflict is a dominant theme in the New Testament and we are repeatedly exhorted to persevere and be courageous, echoing numerous Old Testament passages with similar language. Courage takes risks.

But there is even another layer to the call to be brave. We all have private battles that the Spirit nudges us to confront as we seek to be conformed to the image of Christ.

It takes courage to do the hard work in breaking a generational chain of family dysfunction.

It takes courage to admit deep seated jealousies and resentments.

It takes courage to genuinely forgive and let go of the past. It's much easier to leave wounds festering, rather than seeking healing. But if we truly desire God's best, then our bravery will require perseverance and time.

Yes, there are places much more comfortable for believer to live than others, where the culture is fairly friendly to our faith. But authentic Christianity will always push against the flow of the world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turned the world order upside down. Humility, meekness, justice, mercy, purity, peace – these are qualities of the Spirit that can be bravely demonstrated in even the most unwelcoming of circumstances, whether in a third world culture, or in the southern USA. And as Lewis pointed out, Kingdom minded lives require us to be courageous in living ALL biblical principles. May God give us the grace to do so.

It's part of human nature — evaluating the looks or accomplishments of others and comparing them with our own. We may not even realize we are doing this, until the dark emotions of discouragement and discontentment begin to churn within us. As someone once said, “To compare is to despair.” We can quickly determine how we measure up with another in importance, our giftings, accomplishments or the Cute Outfit Quotient. It's been called the “sidelong glance” – instantly sizing up someone out of the corner of our eye, or being sized up ourselves. Social media doesn't help us here – the status of friends and coworkers boasting of or “sharing” their successes are in our faces 24/7.

This is especially true in ministry, if we are honest enough to admit it. We look at others' successes, number of followers or celebrity status and invariably end up feeling like losers. We all know better, but still have to fight the impulse to join in The Game.

If our need for validation depends on how we measure up with others, we will inevitably lose. Why? First, while we may come out a winner temporarily, it is just a matter of time before someone younger, more successful, or smarter walks into the room or posts on our feed and totally ruins our day. Secondly, the resulting feelings of inadequacy quickly throw the door open to more grievous sins such as envy and jealousy, which are devastating to our spiritual lives and relationships. Third, feeling superior leads to becoming smug, self- satisfied or self- righteous, none of which are spiritually profitable. In the end, we must see that The Comparison Game is one that is rigged. It can't be won in the long term. There may be the occasional victory lap, but the outcome of the game has already been fixed, and we lose.

There is a small story in John 21:18-23 that specifically speaks to The Comparison Game. Peter has professed his love for Jesus three times, with Jesus' exhortation to “Feed my sheep”. However, in verse 18, Jesus prophesies about Peter's future, indicating the kind of death Peter would suffer. Peter, as if suddenly realizing this conversation was not going so well, casts a “sidelong glance” at John and asks Jesus, “What will happen to him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to live until I come again, what is that to you? You follow me.” (John adds a tidbit of info, that it was this comment that fueled the rumors that John would not die until Christ returned). Jesus bluntly calls Peter out, to not compare his path to John's, but to keep his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and follow Him. We must do the same. The only way to win at The Comparison Game is to refuse to play it.

There are a number of skills that lead to success in life. Self-awareness is one of them, although it is not often seen as a critical trait. However, understanding who we are, how we think, and how we operate is vital to knowing who we are and who God has called us to be.

What exactly is self-awareness? Self-awareness has been defined as the ability to make an accurate assessment of your own personality, strengths and weaknesses. It is the conscious knowledge of one’s own character, emotions, desires, and motivations. The better we know ourselves and our tendencies toward certain sins, the clearer we can see where we need to grow as followers of Christ. A healthy self-awareness benefits our relationships as well because it also enables us to understand others and how they see us. A ministry leader with self-awareness will have an accurate read on how she is perceived and react accordingly.

Note that self-awareness differs from self-absorption, which only focuses on inward - aka “navel-gazing”. Self-awareness does not cause us to fixate on ourselves but to better understand how uniquely God created us.

What are some benefits of self-awareness, especially in ministry?

• Self-awareness gives us the ability to discern others’ emotions and reactions.
• Self-awareness helps us identify our own weaknesses or blind spots yet not be threatened or intimidated by them.
• Self-awareness enables us to look back at painful or shameful episodes of our lives and see them accurately, rather than inventing our own narrative. It avoids making excuse for poor behavior.
• Self-awareness is the polar opposite of denial, which is a refusal to see life as it truly is.

How do we grow in self-awareness? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Process your thoughts and prayers through journaling. I recently flipped through an old prayer notebook. As I read back on a particular struggle I had forgotten about, I saw so clearly how I had skimmed over my own pettiness and put myself in the best light - even in my prayers! Eventually, I had become so discouraged that I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to me in this situation, and if I could possibly be slightly at fault? It wasn’t long until I saw that I had missed the glaring problem - my own pride, due to a huge blind spot and unwillingness to admit I was wrong. Self-awareness enables us to see ourselves as we truly are, but that may take some time and effort, but persevere.
2. Listen to yourself. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). What do you talk about? I recently sat at a dinner engagement where one person completely dominated the conversation, talking about his vast accomplishments and how brilliant his own influence was on the elite in his city. I’m sure I was not the only one thinking, “Is he ever going to stop? Does he not realize he has talked nonstop for thirty minutes about himself?” Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t, but the rest of us sure did. No self-awareness.
3. Don't be afraid to ask the Spirit to give you a healthy perspective on yourself. Then don’t get defensive when He does! Wrestling with our sinful nature, weaknesses, strengths, temptations, and emotions grow our self-awareness and help us better serve in the Kingdom.

The end goal of our walk with Christ, however, is not self-awareness. As Tim Keller has said, “Self-awareness is never the destination, it is only a step on the way to transformation.” A healthy self-awareness should put us on (and keep us on) the road to sanctification. Surely this is exactly what King David was striving for when he prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

I know of a church with a beloved staff member who was greatly admired and respected. He served faithfully for many years, working and ministering alongside members of the church. Yet, tragically, past transgressions came to light, and he was forced to resign his position. The church was in an uproar: some arguing the “grace case” and others believing he was now disqualified for ministry. If that wasn’t enough, a new pastor had just arrived on the scene a few weeks before this came down and he was prayerfully seeking to make the right decisions for all parties involved. His wife was a friend of mine and I asked her one day how things were going. She said, “This is too hard. I just closed the blinds in my house and quit answering my phone for three days. I’m not talking to anybody!”  I was taken aback and hardly knew how to respond. But I thought, “You just missed the greatest opportunity you may ever have to truly minister to these people.” Bearing the burdens of others is not easy ? it’s usually depressing and painful. Yet, if we are to be like Christ, we must do so (Gal. 6:2).

Sometimes we hesitate to go to the hurting because we don’t know what to say. And it’s true there are some definite things NOT to say, such as quoting Romans 8:28 or glibly throwing out clichés like “God’s got that” (see Prov. 25:20). All people really need is someone to be with them, weep with them and assure them of God’s presence. Maybe Job’s friends should have just sat with him and kept their comments to themselves!

This prayer has provided me with words when I could not find any of my own:

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer,

Hear the cry of those in misery and need, in their afflictions show them Your mercy.

And give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of Him who suffered for us, Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

In reflection on our many years in ministry, I am drawn to the truth of this proverb. I have seen it play out in my own life more times than I can remember.

We usually think of ministry as investing our lives through serving others, as we hopefully "sharpen" them through discipleship, worship and community. However, I have recently given some thought as to how often others have sharpened me in the past, when I didn't even realize it.

What does this proverb mean, exactly? Most commentators see it as a statement of how people affect, or influence, one another. The essential picture is this: two things of the same nature fashion each other in a way that benefits them both. The word "sharpen" is used several times in other passages, referring to swords that are sharpened for increased usefulness. Additional definitions of "sharpen" in Hebrew are "to be alert or keen". When we place this principle in the context of a Christian community, our relationships will naturally affect each other, hopefully for the good. Our lives are generally shaped in our daily interaction with others, not just upon hearing great sermons or Bible studies. It's often the thousands of smaller moments that sharpen us in profound ways. Most of the wisdom I've received from other women came out of meaningful conversations held in a kitchen or the women's restroom!

For example:

• For several years I taught a women's Bible study and college age Bible study with a good friend who was a gifted teacher. She was a true Bible student and her lessons had strong illustrations, solid doctrinal content and very practical application. When it was my turn to teach, I was determined to continue that trajectory and worked hard to match her standard. She sharpened me.
• I have a friend who is an older woman, a faithful prayer partner. One day we were discussing a mutual friend who was having family difficulties. She said, "Honey, she doesn't know what she doesn't know." I was puzzled, I had never heard that phrase before. After she explained, I instantly took that saying to heart and determined from that point on I would seek to "know what I don't know". I have used that bit of wisdom time and time again. For example, I don't know the Black Lives Matter experience, I haven't lived that story. I don't know the life perspective of a lonely millennial, or the desperate fears of a refugee mother. I need to stop and listen to their stories before making judgments or presumptions. This phrase continues to prod me into seeking knowledge and admitting what I don’t know .
• Sometimes sharpening comes from an awkward or negative experience. I once sat at a lovely dinner when one of the guests suddenly began to make rude accusations against the person seated directly across the table.The rest of us sat in stunned silence until the diatribe was over and the recipient abruptly left the table (who could blame her?) Needless to say, the remainder of the dinner was very uncomfortable. I later reflected on this very unfortunate event and asked God to please never ever let me say anything to another person that was as appallingly rude and hurtful as those comments, not to mention completely unchristian. I will never forget the pain and humiliation on the face of the accused. That experience sharpened me in that I want to always be fully aware of how my comments and conversations make others feel.

There is New Testament counterpart to this proverb, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb. 10:24.) This can't happen if we aren't sharing our lives in community with others. And something interesting happens along the way - as you invest in others by seeking to sharpen them, you discover how they have done the same for you. Sharpened knives increase their usefulness, and sharpened Christians do as well.

Who has sharpened you?

God, You have told us
To listen to Your Beloved Son
Nourish us with Your word and cleanse the eyes of our spirit
So that we may know Your glory.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Susie Hawkins
April 2, 2001 (revised March 16, 2008, 2018)

Introduction:

What a beginning to the Passover season in Jerusalem! The week began with the entry of Jesus into the city on the back of a donkey, amid the cries of hosanna and praises to God.  But there was also great tension and fear in this particular year….tension between the Pharisees and the followers of Jesus, as well as political tensions between the Jews and the hated Romans.  And in the mix was also the religious fervor of the Jews, celebrating their most holy season, the Passover feast. You can imagine the narrow streets overflowing with visiting Jews, planning their excursions to the Temple Mount, children squealing, merchants loudly bartering their wares - all amid noise, confusion, anticipation and a degree of fear.

It is in that atmosphere that Jesus begins His last week on this earth, entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He was crucified on Friday (according to tradition) and resurrected on Sunday. Philip Yancey says of that time, “The might of the world, the most sophisticated religious system of its time allied with the most powerful political empire, arrays itself against a solitary figure, the only perfect man who has ever lived.”

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry
The Pain of Rejection
Luke 19:28-44
Matt. 21:1-11

In these passages we read the account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Note vs. 5 of Matt. 21, as he quotes the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah – their prophesy of the coming Messiah into Jerusalem. Here Jesus is greeted by cries of “hosanna”, which in Hebrew means “save now”.  Jesus’ entry into the city in this way showed His true messiahship – a suffering Messiah, not in a political or military role, for which the Jews were desperately hoping. The clothes and branches spread on the road indicate the reception Jesus received, an honor reserved for kings and royalty, similar to “rolling out the red carpet” today.

Of course Jesus knew what this week would hold – suffering and eventually death. He had alluded to it frequently in the months and weeks leading up to this time. He spoke of it with His disciples and followers, but few (if any) seemed to truly understand what He was saying. The Bible tells us that Jesus is “touched by the feelings of our infirmities” (Heb). Just as we often feel a foreboding or dread of some event, so Jesus must have felt. And yet He did not adjust God’s plan to His human desires or emotions. He had been born for this very thing, becoming the sacrificial Lamb of God.

The end of the Luke passage records Jesus’ words as He approached the holy city of Jerusalem…the gleaming Temple Mount, the crowds of people flowing toward the gates, and the place of His death. As He took in the view of the city, he wept for His people, who were so spiritually blind and unbelieving.  Once again we see the compassion of Christ on frail humanity! Surely we see the heart of God, reaching out in love to those who had so cruelly rejected Him. Jesus was willing to experience indescribable pain and suffering, and His mercy extended to those who were unbelieving and antagonistic.

Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by men...” John 1:11, “He came unto His own and His own did not receive Him.”

Prayer for Today: Lord, I receive You. I welcome all that You are into my life. I so want Your presence in my life and anew yield my heart to you, the King of Kings. I pray that today I might grasp a better understanding of what You did for me on the cross. I ask that You help me identify any rejection of Your word or Your ways that are in my heart. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning and poured out so graciously on Your children.

Monday: Cleansing of the Temple
The Pain of Injustice (Exploitation of the Innocent)
Matt. 21:12-17

This is one of the most dramatic events in Jesus’ short ministry. The Temple was the center of the Jews’ religious tradition, history and worship, known for its beauty across the ancient world.  When Jews came to Jerusalem to observe the Passover celebration, they would purchase an animal for the sacrifice. The poorer the family, the simpler the sacrifice would be, such as a small bird (see Luke 2:24, Mary and Joseph in the Temple with baby Jesus).  The religious establishment sold these doves at exorbitant prices, shrewdly cheating the poor who were forced to buy from them. They had devised a system of deceitful money exchanging, since it was unlawful to purchase the sacrifice with Roman coins. Of course, their “system” was of great monetary benefit to them, but an enormous expense for the common people. This, then, was the sin that so angered Jesus. In verse 13, “You have made (My house) a den of thieves!”

Their sin was not in the selling of sacrificial animals, it was the fraud willingly perpetuated on God’s people by their own religious leaders. Jesus once again revealed the heart of God, Who hates deceit, corruption and greed. This incident should remind us of a sober truth: many evils have been done in the name of Christianity….the medieval Crusades, the Inquisition, religious pogroms, etc. These events may have been done by men claiming to do them in His name, but we can be sure that God had nothing to do with them.  Always God’s people have been exhorted to protect the needy and oppressed, the alien and the unloved. Jesus did that consistently in His interaction with men and women, showing us His love of justice and His care for those who are wounded, ignored or exploited.

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, I pray that my heart would be Your temple, cleansed from its sin by Your presence. Purify my motives and my desires.

“Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxieties; see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Ps. 139:23-24)

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19:14)

Tuesday: Questioning His Authority
The Pain of Unbelief
Mark 11:20-33

In this text we see two events: the withered fig tree, and the authority of Jesus being questioned by the chief priests and scribes. In the first, Peter points out the dead fig tree that Jesus had cursed the previous day (vss. 12-14).  This appears to be a strange story, until the reader grasps the truth that Jesus was communicating to His disciples. As the disciples and Jesus are passing by the withered tree the next day, Peter points it out to Jesus, who responds with a short explanation of faith.  Most scholars believe that Jesus was using the fig tree as a metaphor of the nation of Israel. It looked good from a distance, or on the outside. Yet, upon closer inspection, it was fruitless and devoid of its purpose for existing. The rejection of the Messiah and the coming destruction of Jerusalem were obviously weighing heavily on Jesus’ heart (vss 22-24).  The illustration of a large mountain being cast into the sea demonstrated His point: that simple, genuine faith in God can accomplish the impossible. Interesting that included in this short teaching on faith, Jesus includes a reminder in verse 25 – that we must forgive others if we want God to forgive us. Clearly this is a condition for the prayer of faith.

At this time, the religious leaders were already plotting Jesus’ death (Mark 11:18).  The questioned Him in this passage regarding the nature and source of His authority (referring to His teaching and cleansing of the Temple). Mark notes several disputes brewing between Jesus and the Pharisees in His account, this being one of them. Jesus refuses to answer their question and instead brings up the controversial John the Baptist, thus exposing the true motive of their question. Their only desire was to entrap Jesus, thereby finding a way to condemn Him by Jewish law.

In both of these passages Jesus confronts unbelief. Of course He always knew men were not naturally bent toward believing God, and He taught on the topic frequently.  Surely this pain was sharper on this day than at any other time of His earthly ministry…God had come to His people and they not only did not believe, but they vilified Him!

Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury in the 11^th century believed that simple faith was the foundation for any spiritual growth and understanding. He said, “I do not seek to understand that I may believe; but I believe that I may understand. For this also I believe, that unless I believe, I will not understand.”

Prayer for Today: Lord, I echo the prayer of the desperate father in Mark 9:24; “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” What a starkly honest prayer, and it reminds me that I have such little true faith. I pray that You, by the power of Your Spirit, would increase my faith, and fill me with a simple trust in You and Your goodness. Help me not look so much for answers to my questions, but to simply believe in You – that You are the only begotten Son of God, the Messiah of Israel, the one and only Jesus Christ.

Wednesday: Privately Worshipped, Publicly Denied
The Pain of Secret Discipleship
John 12:37-50

In this passage John tells us that despite Jesus’ many miracles, people did not believe His message. Here is a hard truth: we often think that if unbelievers could just experience a true miracle, then they would believe. However, Scripture tells us otherwise…even though there were men that saw Lazarus raised from the dead, they still did not believe, but rather began to plot His death more earnestly! This unbelief fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53. The note in the Nelson Study Bible says, “The consequence of repeated rejection is loss of the capacity to believe. Isaiah taught that some could not believe because God hardened their hearts after they repeatedly rejected the truth.”

On the other hand, in this passage, we see those who DID believe, but would not openly confess their faith.  “Rulers” in this passage refers to the members of the council, the Jewish religious leaders. There were some that believed in Him, but only secretly. The reason for their secrecy is revealed in verse 43 – “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”’ Their position in the religious community, and the acceptance of their peers was far more important to them. We may be quick to condemn them, but which of us have not done the same? Philip Yancey, a respected and highly successful Christian writer, in Reaching for the Invisible God explores this same thought when he says, “’I am not ashamed of the gospel’, Paul told the Romans. Why do I speak in generalities when strangers ask me what I do for a living and then try to pin down what kind of books I write? Why do I mention the secular schools I attended before the Christian ones?” (One of the reasons I read everything he writes, is that I am gripped by his honesty and willingness to explore issues that we Christians find difficult to admit, much less discuss.) Many times,  I must painfully admit, I have loved the praise of others, rather than the praise of God.

In John 19:38-40, we read that Joseph of Arimethea (a secret disciple of Christ) and Nicodemus (who came to see Jesus at night) were the men who took Jesus’ body from the cross and quickly buried Him according to Jewish law and custom. I am so grateful that John included this bit of information in his gospel. Despite the public denial of their faith in Jesus, they were the ones who were willing to go to Pilate for permission to care for His body (where were the disciples?) They were the last ones to see His wounds. The challenge in our reading today is this: Am I a secret disciple? Too fearful to confess Christ because of what others think? The reader can’t help but wonder how Joseph and Nicodemus felt on Sunday!

Prayer for Today: Lord, please forgive me for being a secret disciple at times. It is my wretched pride that wants to glory in myself rather than in You. Help me to never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation. May I be so filled with love for You, that I only care what You think of me.

Thursday: Passover, Gethsemane and Betrayal
The Pain of Betrayal
Matt. 26:17-25, 46-56

Thursday was a very eventful day.  The disciples were busy preparing the Passover meal, purchasing the food and other supplies, as well as securing a room where they would share their last meal together.  They were participating in the Passover celebration, commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, by way of the final plague, the killing of the first born.  At that supper, several things happened that are significant.  Jesus gave them His parting words, washed their feet, and instituted the Lord’s Supper, the new covenant of His blood. As the reader begins to follow these events of Jesus and His disciples, we can feel a sense of foreboding. In the parallel passage in John 13, Jesus tells the disciples that He is “troubled in spirit”.

From there, they sang a hymn and left, walking to the Garden of Gethsemane where they often went to pray. There we see Jesus praying in true agony, asking His disciples to pray with Him, as He was assaulted by every demon in hell! Oh, how they wanted Him to refuse that “cup”. That cup held every sin mankind has ever committed – it was filthy, unrighteous, everything Jesus was not. To drink that cup was revolting to Him. And, it would cause His Father to turn away from Him, which is beyond our comprehension.

It was there that Jesus met His betrayer, Judas, who approached Him with a mob armed with swords and clubs. Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss, calling him “Rabbi”, a term of affection. Amazingly, Jesus called him “friend”. Judas, one of the twelve disciples, was the one that objected to Mary of Bethany’s extravagant worship in John 12, when she poured perfumed oil on Jesus’ feet. John records Judas’ snippy words, “Shouldn’t that money have been given to the poor?” (John 12:6).  John also parenthetically mentions that Judas, who was the treasurer, often pilfered money out of the money box. Nevertheless, at the Passover meal, it doesn’t appear to be obvious to the disciples that Judas would be the one to betray Jesus. He must have seemed no different than the rest of them. And what was Judas’ motivation? Thirty pieces of silver had more value to him than the life of Jesus, which is consistent with John’s comments about Judas.  Jesus experienced betrayal with Judas that night, as well as later by His beloved disciple, Simon Peter. Peter, when confronted by a housemaid, vehemently denied that he even knew Jesus.

Here is our focus today: have you ever experienced the sting of betrayal?  Then you have a tiny idea of this pain. Scholars believe that Psalm 55:12-14 is a prophetic expression of the future thoughts of Jesus, “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng.” To be attacked by an enemy is expected…the betrayed by a close friend is infinitely worse. Here Christ was delivered, literally “handed over” into the hands of His enemies, by one of His own.

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, I must admit that I have no right to condemn Judas or Peter, I’m no better than they. I have not betrayed you for thirty pieces of silver, but I am so quick to turn from my loyalty to You. The words of this hymn are my prayer today,

“Oh, to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter; bind my wandering heart to Thee,
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love,
Here’s my heart
Oh take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above!”

Friday: Crucifixion
“With Shame Weighed Down”
Matt. 27

As we read the account of the crucifixion of Jesus, we can only imagine the agony of Jesus, His mother and His followers. Surely every dream they ever had was dying a slow death, and the sorrow and grief recorded in this passage is just unbearable. There are so many things to note in this text, but we will concentrate on just one: the shame of Calvary.

What a dreadful emotion shame is.  Jesus was physically stripped naked, and nailed to the cross, place of death for common criminals.  He endured the physical shame, emotional shame, and most of all spiritual shame, as His Father turned His face from the vile sinfulness Jesus bore on the cross. Jesus, the beloved and only begotten Son of God, who enjoyed such love and intimacy with His righteous Father, had to suffer the guilt of the sin of the entire world. Have you ever thought about that phrase, “the sin of the whole world”? No wonder Jesus was repulsed at the “cup” in the Garden as He prayed. That cup was for all men’s sin….for murderers, child molesters, all perverse immoralities, cruel oppression of the poor and needy – it contained all of the wicked sins of mankind.

What utter humiliation, shame and disgrace, for Jesus, the perfect Son of God, to hang on a cross, suspended between heaven and earth. As He was dying, people passed by insulting and scorning Him, believing that He was getting what He truly deserved (see Psalm 44:15).  Hebrews 12:2 says that “Jesus…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the SHAME, has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Isaiah 50:6 speaks the prophetic words, “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out My beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.”

Bernard of Clairvaux, a monk in 12^th century France penned the words that are set to music in the hymn, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”. This verse so poetically expressed his musings on Jesus’ death:

“O sacred head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down
Now scornfully surrounded, with thorns, Thy only crown;
How art Thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

(So often in Baptist or evangelical churches, we hesitate to stop here in the crucifixion story. It seems so “Catholic” to concentrate on Christ’s death, rather than hurry on to the Resurrection. I challenge you to ‘stay here’ today. His death deserves serious reflection on our part since it was for us that He died. It would do all of us good to soberly ponder this today.)

Prayer for Today: Lord Jesus, to say “thank You” for the cross is so pitifully inadequate. We truly have no way to express our gratefulness for Your sacrifice. I am trying to understand what You did for me, I see Your sorrow and shame, knowing that You willingly took my place. Your life was not taken, but freely given. What else is there to say but thank You for your unfathomable love and mercy.

Saturday: Silence
The Pain of Disappointment
Matt. 27: 57-66

Saturday. The disciples and followers of Jesus must have been beyond exhaustion and numbed with sorrow and disappointment. What did it all mean? It was the Jewish Sabbath, the day of rest from labor. It was over, they thought. When we experience tragedy, we often relive it repeatedly in our minds, turning it over and over, searching for meaning. They must have been haunted by the memory of Jesus on the cross – the Passover, betrayal in the Garden, the denials, and finally Jesus’ gruesome death. Pilate had posted guards, should anyone come and try to steal His body. The two Marys had stayed with Jesus’ body, watching as Joseph and Nicodemus buried Him. I love those 2 Marys, I love that about them. Despite their pain and disillusionment, they were devoted followers of their Lord. I want to talk to them someday about all of this.

The thoughts and feelings of Jesus’ many disciples were succinctly spoken by two people on the Emmaus road (Luke 24) to their unrecognized Visitor; “We had so hoped that He was the one…” Their tone must have been wistful, pained with disappointment and sorrow. The death of a dream is not an easy one to endure.

Reflect on these words today, which so profoundly express the greatest truth: what can we do except willingly give our life to Him?

“Alas, and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred Head for a sinner such as I?
Was it for sins that I have done, He suffered on the tree? Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe…
Here, Lord…I give myself away,
It’s all that I can do.”

Sunday: Resurrection Day
He is Risen, Indeed!
I Cor. 15:13-27, 55

Truly we live in a day where believers should seek to be like the sons of Issachar - to understand the times and act accordingly. In this passage, the tribes of Israel are coming to David, to establish him as the rightful king of Israel. Saul's reign was over and now the time had come for David, God's anointed, to ascend to the throne. The tribes were meeting together to begin the protocols and process of ending one reign and beginning the new one under King David. Each tribe brought their own strengths to the nation, but only Issachar is described as “understanding the times and knowing what to do.” They were men of discernment.

What is discernment exactly? The Hebrew word biynah, used in this passage, is translated as “understanding, knowledge, meaning, or wisdom”. In Greek, aisthesis and diakrisis are translated as discernment and its various synonyms. It is linked with and carries the nuances of wisdom, good judgment, understanding and distinguishing good from evil. And, it is vital for strong and effective leadership.

Discernment should be sought and cultivated by believers who seek to apply God's truth to a circumstance as well as having a clear understanding of biblical principles. For example, God was pleased with Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 3, as he prayed for “an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil...” (Sometimes the difference between good and evil is not as obvious as we might expect.) In the story of the two mothers and the baby (1 Kings 3:16-28,) Solomon wisely perceived the legitimate mother and gave the child to her, demonstrating how true discernment should lead to true justice. In the New Testament, Paul prayed for all believers to be characterized by discernment in Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV), “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness...”. And the author of Hebrews agrees, in 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

But Charles Spurgeon took it a step further, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” God's people should be characterized by this kind of wisdom. Listening to wise counselors, searching the scriptures, praying for the Spirit to guide us, and genuinely seeking truth (rather than our own agenda) are a few of the processes that develop discernment. Understanding these times require wise judgments. We have never walked this way before. Making sense of a global pandemic through a well- researched and faithful biblical worldview will enable us to know how to react to these days, as it did the Men of Issachar. Understanding the times will lead us to an appropriate course of action. One of the most crucial responsibilities we have as believers is to wisely answer the multitude of questions our world is asking right now. Peter tell us to “...always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;” (1 Peter 3:15.) How can we best answer the questions regarding God and faith that are such a large part of our national conversation right now? By seeking godly discernment and answering these questions accordingly.

Lord, grant us sound judgment and wisdom, that we might discern our times and point our hurting, frightened world to You.

Everyone loved Terri. An attractive young woman who was active in her church and eager to serve, Terri was unusually generous with her time and energy.  She always managed to give extensive help to friends and acquaintances who asked for it, despite the stresses of her own job and family life. Anyone who needed an extra set of hands could depend on Terri to help, from church people to work colleagues to family members – everyone knew that she would never refuse their appeal. Terri was like an ATM machine– key in your request, and out would come the help you needed.  She prided herself on being a faithful friend, one who would never say “no”, and was always available when needed. Not surprisingly, Terri eventually found herself in a crisis, physically and emotionally exhausted. While in counseling (at the advice of her pastor), Terri learned something about herself:  on the surface she appeared to be a “super –saint”, always sacrificing for others. However, Terri soon discovered that her motivation for doing so was truthfully not that honorable – she was desperately seeking approval from others, not necessarily from God.  Suffering from feelings of unworthiness and insecurity, Terri was craving respect and admiration from others. The complimentary words filled her “emotional tank” temporarily, but it never lasted. While she always received appreciation for her good deeds, she reluctantly admitted  to her counselor that it was “never enough”. One complaint or slight criticism would throw her into the depths of despair, and begin the pleasing cycle all over again.

Terri, unfortunately, has a lot of company in the Christian community. Whether many of us wish to admit it or not, our feelings of worth are often based on an emotional state. We feel significant and loved as long as people like us and agree with us or support what we are doing. However, if criticism or rejection comes our way, we often follow in Terri’s footsteps, believing that our perceived failures by others simply prove our inherent unworthiness. Perhaps women are more prone to this tendency than men, due to their relational nature. While most men might shrug off a friend’s disapproval, it is likely that a woman will analyze it, brood over it or confront it, in order to resolve the conflict.

It is essential that believers in Christ understand the concept of approval. We all need and want the love, support and respect of our church, friends and community. However, it is the mature Christian who will honestly examine her own heart and determine whose approval she is actually seeking in this life – God’s or man’s. This is not an easy challenge and usually requires another party, such as a wise counselor, to provide Biblical guidance, balance, and wisdom.

When God fashioned man, He designed him with a powerful need for relationships, such as marriage and family. In God’s creation, this community was good.   It is natural and healthy to want to belong to a group, living together and working in harmony. However, this desire can become harmful when one becomes unusually afraid of disappointing people and is unable to balance or handle others’ dissatisfaction. It is likely that those that struggle with this are afraid that not pleasing others will result in their no longer being a part of that particular group.

In 2 Cor. 5:9, the apostle Paul expressed a very important principle in regard to this topic: “We make it our aim, whether present or absent to be well pleasing to Him.”

The context of this Scripture is Paul’s explanation of the judgment seat of Christ. Someday we will each appear before Him and give an account of our lives. Therefore, we must always remember that our highest calling is to please God, not others. With this concept firmly in mind, it is helpful to observe a few other points from Scripture that reinforce this principle.

First, we must acknowledge that people are fickle – one minute they can be roaring approval and the next shouting condemnation. The most obvious example is Jesus, entering the city of Jerusalem, on the week of the Passover. He was greeted with cries of “Hosanna” and the waving of palm branches, which indicated His royalty. However it was only a few days later that the same crowd was swayed by those who were conspiring to put Him to death. In Pilate’s courtyard, those that had shouted “Hosanna” now shouted “Crucify him!” In light of human nature, it is clear that man’s approval can be very tenuous as well as temporary.  Parenthetically, this example also indicates that seeking approval from others can lead to some very poor decisions, as Pilate eventually realized. It is dangerous to base one’s actions on the whims of public opinion – due to man’s capricious nature, those opinions can change drastically in a moment.

Another point Scripture makes in regard to man’s approval versus God’s approval is found in John 12: 42-43: “Even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” This is a sobering explanation, given by the apostle John. Many of the religious leaders were devout servants of God, truly loving Him according to the commandments. However, their reluctance to identify with Jesus was due to their greater desire to please man rather than God.  Proverbs 29:25 states this truth succinctly, “The fear of man brings a snare...”

This truth should be explored a step further. Due to our sinful nature, we are all vulnerable to this temptation. It is easy for us at this point in time to criticize the Pharisees or those who rejected Christ, but Scripture also points out that even the most mature believers can fall into this “snare”. In Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, he addressed a very serious division that had developed in the early church. “Judaizers” had arisen, advocating a doctrine which said that one had to keep the Jewish law (circumcision, observing the Mosaic Law, etc) in order to become a Christian. They had accused Paul of watering down the gospel, making it too simple. He, then, accused them of compromising the purity of the gospel message by erroneously emphasizing the law. He begins his argument in Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”  Here Paul clearly indicates the choice one has to make in order to fully follow Jesus – to please Him or to please men. This is further illustrated in Gal. 2: 11-16, in the account of the serious confrontation at Antioch between Peter and Paul, the two great leaders of the early church.  Paul publicly rebuked Peter, blaming him for succumbing to “peer pressure” or desiring the approval of men rather than standing for the truth of the gospel.  Peter had shared meals with the gentile Christians, clearly approving of their authentic conversion, due to his vision and experience at the home of Cornelius. However, when men from James (or Jerusalem, meaning the Judaizers) arrived at the same meeting, Peter separated himself from the gentile Christians, “fearing those who were of the circumcision”. If that wasn’t bad enough, Peter’s influence on the other believers was so strong that even Barnabas and the others “played the hypocrite” (vs. 13). Paul challenged Peter with a stinging criticism for his duplicity, following it up with a magnificent summary of justification by faith (vs. 14-21).

This incident illustrates that no believer, no matter how mature or how strong in the faith, is beyond this temptation – all are vulnerable, and all are probably guilty at some point. So we see that our friend Terri fell into the same trap that many believers have struggled with through the years. She, too, sought the approval of man and was inevitably disappointed. While Terri genuinely wanted to please God, she discovered that what she really craved was approval that fed her own ego and soothed her feelings of insecurity, at least temporarily. What do we do about this conflict? There are three thoughts in conclusion that will help us think Biblically about this topic, using Paul’s challenge in 2 Cor. 5:9.

First, we must be sure that we are aiming for the right target. What does this mean for the Christian? What is our target? It is the goal of ordering our lives according  Biblical standards, our lives being characterized by God’s Word.  This is surely easier said than done. We live in a day of such complex lifestyle choices and multiple distractions. Nevertheless, the target we aim for is a life focus - our goals, our decisions, all of these must be in the context of obedience to Scriptural principles and admonitions. In an honest evaluation, we must look what our actual lives reveal, not just what we profess to believe. In other words, where do we spend our money? Our time? Our energy? These are the true measurements of what we claim to believe and value. Paul expressed this principle in Phil. 3:14, where he said, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” To fulfill the call of God on his life was his goal – his decisions, his preaching, everything he did validated that call.

We also should understand that this aim to please God encompasses all aspects of our life. It is not only found in tithing, church attendance, charitable giving and all the other “spiritual” things in which we participate. Rather, all of our life is to characterize our desire to honor God and please Him. 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” There is no division between the sacred and the secular to the true follower of Christ. All aspects of our life are to reflect our obedience to God’s Word. A believer who truly grasps this finds much greater joy in God receiving glory than herself.

Finally, we must all understand that we can not do this in ourselves. Let the weary soul rejoice! We can only accomplish this lofty goal through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Col. 1:10, Paul prays for his fellow believers at the church in Colosse, that the Spirit would enable them to be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God…” According to this Scripture, one is able to fully please God, when filled with the knowledge of His will due to wisdom and spiritual understanding.

This, then, is the “bulls-eye” of the target, the object of our aim – to fully please God in every good work, bringing honor and glory to Him, not to ourselves.

Susie Hawkins has served in various aspects of women’s ministry for over thirty years. She is a ministry wife, as well as a Bible study teacher. She holds a MA in theology from The Criswell College, Dallas, Texas.

Once again, I am struck by how the whole narrative centers on a mother and her baby. The King of the Universe, Creator, Redeemer, Miracle Working, Healing God came into a WOMB. I loved having a newborn in our family at Christmas. Two of our granddaughters were born in Dec and I remember holding them and staring at those little faces, wondering what Mary must have been feeling - is there anything more vulnerable than a newborn?

We do an impromptu Christmas drama on Christmas eve with our grandkids for the parents. One year when Julia and Halle were around 4 and 5, they both wanted to be Mary. Make no mistake about it: Baby Jesus may be the star from Christmas Day on, but its all about Mary on Christmas Eve. I should have foreseen this dilemma, and so the only solution to avoiding a total meltdown before the presentation was for Joseph to have 2 Mary's that year. Yes, friends, we had a polygamous Christmas story. And actually we had it for a couple or years until I was able to come up with a fancy angel ensemble that much prettier than Mary's drab robe and scarf. We are under grace and I was counting on that!

Simeon prophesied to Mary that "a sword would pierce her soul" and how true that proved to be. From her perspective all of Jesus' earthly life was a progression of separation from her - from his remaining in Jerusalem at age 12, being "about My Father's business", to declaring that His true family were those who believed in Him, even to relinquishing the care of His mother to John while He was on the cross. The scripture says that Mary "pondered these things in her heart". Thinking, remembering, trying to make sense of all of it, and wondering about His future - like all mothers.

In Gen 3, after the fall, God spoke of Eve's (and all other mothers') pain in childbirth. The longer I live, the more I see this prophesy demonstrated not just in childbirth but all through a child's life. Mothers agonize over a baby's sickness, a preschoolers tantrums, a school age child's struggles, a teen's sullenness, a young adult's relationships, a married child's choices and then she moves into grandmother-hood! And the cycle begins again, except it's both generations to rejoice or worry over. "A mother is only as happy as her least happy child" - I'm pretty sure that saying should be in the Bible, it must have been accidentally deleted.

Motherhood is at the crux of Christmas - a barren old woman, Elizabeth, giving birth to a son, who will prepare the way for the Lord. Mary, birthing the Son of God, who through His sacrifice would purchase salvation for men and women of every tribe and tongue. These 2 women stand at the crossroads of the Biblical story of redemption, bridging the Old and New Testaments. Motherhood. Childbirth. Family. Just so amazing.

The shopping will eventually be completed and all the arrangements made, but most parents are also fervently praying that their children have been prepared spiritually for what lies ahead. College years can bring spiritual challenges. Can she withstand the inevitable temptations? Will she be faithful to church and/or a campus ministry? Will there be a strong Christian community to encourage her spiritually? These are all valid questions and deserve thoughtful answers. And I add - these promises are not just for students who are headed to college but certainly also for those whose immediate plans don’t include leaving home. These issues generally surface at young adult age, no matter where they are.

The Bible is full of promises for believers. Here are four that are especially relevant to young adults, as they move into the university culture.

1. God will be faithful to deliver from temptations:
   
   “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
   
   Everyone is subject to temptation, it is the common human experience. Even Jesus had to overcome it, alone in the wilderness. Like us, He was tempted to fill a legitimate human need in an illegitimate way. How can we pray for this generation and encourage them as they face these tests? In light of this promise, there are two things to note. First, God is faithful. His nature is faithfulness and we see His faithfulness demonstrated repeatedly throughout scripture. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). Because of that faithfulness, he will provide a “way of escape”, due to the threat of being “overtaken” by temptation. The word picture here is of a battle with an army surrounded by enemies. Suddenly the army sees an escape route through a mountain pass. The way of escape is provided, but the army (or person) being tempted, must take it. God is ready to help us, but we must be looking for His provision. There is another nuance to the “escape clause” in this verse. The “way of escape” may be the ability to “endure” and not give in to it. In this case, the way of escape happens due to the Spirit-empowered endurance of the believer, as in 2 Tim. 2:17, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me...”. Peter adds “”... the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations...” (2 Peter 2:9). We pray that God would make the way of escape clear and give our children the strength to choose it. God will be faithful to deliver from temptation.
2. God will be faithful to those who struggle with their faith.
   
   Do questions always indicate a loss of faith? Not necessarily. If a Christian has never been confused or asked serious questions, then I wonder how much he has even thought seriously about it. Seeking answers to spiritual questions is a crucial factor in spiritual growth, and often surfaces during the college years, as we all know. Those of us raised in the church were usually admonished, “Don’t doubt, just believe.” But for many, there comes a time when simple answers don’t satisfy and they walk through what Daniel Silliman calls “The Valley of the Shadow of Doubt”. In his article in Christian Higher Education, Silliman says it is very common for students to go through a period of spiritual instability during the college years. These questions may be existential in nature, or just exploring how to live out one’s faith. The key to working through it is found in having mentors, small groups, resources and campus ministries that can come alongside the student to thoughtfully answer his questions with respect, a sound knowledge of scripture and sensitivity. Students must eventually own their own faith by knowing what they believe and why they believe it. Periods of doubt where one is honestly seeking answers to valid questions can lead to a much more robust faith - although the process distresses parents to no end. J.A. Block, in his helpful blog, says “We shouldn’t view their questions and doubt as a crisis, but merely as the new normal in an epistemologically unsteady age” (www.thegospelcoalition.org “My Christian High School Students Have Doubts. Here’s How I Respond”.)
   
   In Jude’s succinct epistle, he urges followers of Christ to “contend earnestly for the faith” (3) and to “have mercy on those who doubt” (22). As we pray for our skeptics, we can pray with confidence that God will walk with them through their season of doubt. And remember, “This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness!” (Lam. 3:21-23). God is big enough for their questions. He is faithful.
3. God will be faithful in times of uncertainty. If we have ever lived in a time of unpredictability, it is now. Pandemic, racial tension, political divisions, financial crises - it is impossible to predict how things are going to play out in the near future. In this confusing season, young adults are especially vulnerable when it comes to making wrong choices. They face making the most influential decisions in their life, such as choosing a college, a vocation, or finding a marriage partner, and all in the context of unparalleled uncertainly regarding the future.
   
   I recently read an article that speaks to this very issue. Author Daniel Henderson, who was in a season of searching, traveled to Calcutta to work at Mother Teresa’s “House of the Dying”. One day he met Mother Teresa, who asked him what she could do for him. He replied that he was looking for direction in his life and asked her to “pray that I have clarity”. She laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”
   
   The truth is, we all want details of how our choices will affect us. We want to see ahead and have assurances that we made the right call. But Scripture is full of people who followed the call of God, without knowing what was going to happen. For example, in Hebrews 11 we are presented with examples of those who trusted God, who had no idea of what their future would be. Abraham “went out, not knowing where he was going”. Moses, Sarah, and many other Old Testament saints listed in this passage had no “clarity”, except for the promise of God. In the New Testament, Jesus says to His disciples, “Follow Me.” Each one’s path would be unique and would take them to places they could never have even imagined. Daniel Henderson says, “Faith flourishes when we are trusting God at the deepest level with a willingness to let go of our insistence for clarity.”
   
   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct Your path” (Psalm God will be faithful in times of uncertainty.
4. God will be faithful to fulfill your child’s destiny. Psalm 20:4, a prayer from the Psalmist, puts it so succinctly, “May God grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans”.
   
   Young adulthood often brings the questions of “Who am I? Why am I here? What should I do with my life?” In seeking God’s will, this verse gives sure guidance. The key here is that our desires would be what God’s desires for us, meaning that we would desire His will above our own.
   
   This angst is perfectly expressed in Michael W. Smith’s song, “My Place in This World”:
   
   The wind is moving
   But I am standing still
   A life of pages
   Waiting to be filled
   A heart that's hopeful
   A head that's full of dreams
   But this becoming
   Is harder than it seems
   Feels like I'm

    

   Looking for a reason
   Roaming through the night to find
   My place in this world
   My place in this world
   Not a lot to lean on
   I need Your light to help me find
   My place in this world
   My place in this world

In a world that demands immediate gratification and success, finding one’s place can be overwhelming. There will be faltering steps and maybe an unwise decision here and there, but overall, God will give your child the guidance he or she needs. As a parent, our part is to wait, pray, and be ready with words of encouragement and wisdom.

Parents, you have prepared your children for their college experience, and you will continue to pray them through their young adult years. God is faithful!

While a parent should not “preach” to their wayward child (it rarely accomplishes the desired result), it is always appropriate to pray.  “Prayer-enting” is a term coined by the mom of a young man who had “de-converted” from Christ.  Knowing that there was little she could say or do to convince him of his dreadful mistake, she committed herself to intense prayer for this child.  This is the experience of most parents of prodigals – striving to show unconditional love while not continually rescuing the child or excuse the behavior.  One mother put it this way,

“My husband and I continue to use the same vocabulary we've always used, not avoiding spiritual words.  We tell our son how we are praying for him, about answered prayer in our own lives, about people we know and have been praying for or working with and who have recently received Christ or have followed the Lord in believer's baptism.  The natural thing to do when one's child indicates they doubt everything they once professed to believe and hold dear is to avoid sharing spiritual things.  Maybe it is to avoid conflict or out of fear that they will cease to communicate, but we feel strongly that we must continue to be true to what we know to be true and value.  So far, it has not been a point of conflict, and we trust the Lord to use it in His plan.  We also forward words of encouragement to our children from others, and we tell them when someone asks about them and indicates they are praying for them.  We don’t insist that they believe as we do, or condemn or whine about their spiritual condition.  We leave that to God and work hard to keep the communication moving.”

Her key sentence is that she and her husband do not complain to their child about his lack of commitment to Christ, or preach to him.  By not doing so, they show they still love and respect their adult child, although heartbroken over his rejection of Christ.  These wise parents have refused to burn the bridge of their relationship with their son, choosing to do everything they can to model the unconditional love of God to him.

Parents of prodigals desperately need emotional and spiritual support from friends and family.  Unfortunately, because of the perceived shame associated with prodigal children, many of their parents live with enormous pain.  As the family of God, it is our responsibility to encourage and pray for them.