Category: Discipleship/Mentoring

Interruption as Intervention

His daily rescue intercedes on our behalf fulfilling his plan and purpose. He does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God’s intervention determines the direction of our lives like the landscape determines the course of a river.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

I have made many plans in my life. Planning gives order to what would be a chaotic, aimless existence. How I hold those plans is determined by how I see myself in light of my view of God. When I believe I know what’s best, despite what God has in mind, I struggle accepting the changes that have derailed my plans. It is when I confess that I am little and God is big that I find peace with change. Knowing God is loving, faithful and trustworthy I am constrained to entrust myself to Him. I must choose to surrender to His will, submit to His authority, acknowledge His sovereignty and yield to His way. In this there is hope and peace.

The average day rarely goes as planned or imagined. Though my agenda keeps my life from complete chaos, even a well-planned day isn’t complete without changes, unexpected situations, countless interruptions and surprises. It’s not unusual to think my day is going in one direction only to find my plan detoured and redirected down another path. I have learned, through practice, to accept changes and to hold my schedule with an open hand. While my tendency is to resist change, a glitch in a day is hardly something to lose my peace over! Minor levels of resistance require regrouping and rethinking.

Sadly for those of us who want order and control in our lives, change and interruptions do not remain small or insignificant. Life has a way of not turning out as we’d imagined. Accidents happen, people disappoint, health declines, jobs are lost, people die. Suddenly, often without warning, the future looks very different than we had planned or pictured. The unknown future often seems bleak. Instead of a minor redirection, it’s more of a derailment or a shipwreck leaving us grieved, fearful, lost and perhaps angry and without direction or vision for the future. We tend to resist and push back against these unwelcome changes and all that they means for us.

Lot was such a man. Two angels, appearing as men, were sent to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to warn Lot and his family that the Lord was about to rain sulfur and fire down to destroy the cities. The angels urgently implored him to get his family out of the city and into the hills. Leaving would be more than abandoning his home. It meant a complete change of status, wealth and an unknown future. God’s consideration meant sacrifice for Lot and his loved ones. Their very real losses were God’s great mercy and kindness upon him and his family. This interruption was an intervention of rescue.

But Lot lingered. Instead of acting as a man leaving a burning building, he belabored perhaps pondering/processing what it would mean to stay or to leave. In keeping with the urgency of the situation, the angels seized him, his wife and two daughters and dragged them by the hands out of the city. As they were leaving they were told to escape for their lives and not to look back or stop anywhere in the valley.

Luke 17:32-33 Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to perserve his life will lose it and whoever loses his life will keep it.

Lot wasn’t the only one dragging his feet. Lot’s wife, who trailed behind him, looked back. As most commentators have stated, it wasn’t a mere glance over the shoulder but a regretful longing for what she’d left behind. Her treasures were earthly and therein her heart was found. And it was her heart, revealed in a disobedient look back, that betrayed her. She lost the life she desired to preserve and became a pillar of salt.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

When God changes our plans He aligns our plans with His. Not only does he order the steps of the righteous but he protects them when they fall. He has them by the hand. (Psalm 37:23-24) His daily rescue intercedes on our behalf fulfilling his plan and purpose. He does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God’s intervention determines the direction of our lives like the landscape determines the course of a river. God doesn’t mind inconveniencing us or interrupting our plans to meet our needs or the needs of others while revealing Himself and displaying His glory.

And so do not fear and do not lose heart. A change of plans, a life interrupted, is part of the good work our Lord is doing. He is perfect. His will and His ways are perfect. And great are His steadfast love and faithfulness toward you.

The Assigned Life

Some have said that God is still writing our story but according to scripture, our story is already written. Every aspect of what we have already experienced and what has yet to be lived out was and is fully and completely part of his plan.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

It seems reasonable to imagine a big-picture God who created the world and everything in it. We see the beauty and wisdom of his work every day in this wild, wonderful world. But God, within the big picture, is not impersonal. He is the God of the intimate, intricate details who not only appointed the stars in the sky but has given each one a name (Psalm 147:4). He knows the number of hairs on your head on any given day (Matthew 10:30). You are his handiwork, his poetic masterpiece created with a purpose (Ephesians 2:10). God formed you; knit you together in your mothers womb and set you apart for something specific before you were born (Psalm 139:13). Consider the beauty and wisdom of his work as one created by God!

There are no mistakes in our story. Just as God’s plan for salvation was set in place before the foundation of the world, his redemptive plan for our lives has been established. Some have said that God is still writing our story but according to scripture, our story is already written (Psalm 139:16). Every aspect of what we have already experienced, and what has yet to be lived out, was and is fully and completely part of his plan. He was not surprised by the ungodly, sinful paths many of us chose. On the contrary, knowing that path from the beginning, God used our choices to bring us to where we find ourselves today.

In the middle of speaking about marriage, Paul gives us an overarching spiritual principle addressing any circumstance and human condition.

1 Corinthians 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which the Lord has called him.

It is the responsibility of each Christian to live their life in contentment, for God has called us to glorify him in it. He has given us this life, at this time, with these circumstances to serve him faithfully. Though our tendency is to search for a way of escape, perhaps believing we cannot serve the Lord as things are, he requires that we faithfully stay the course.

As ones who often imagine what we could accomplish if life were different, we run the risk of wasting present opportunities dreaming of what might have been or what could be. This mindset does not please the Lord or serve him well. Waste no time pondering the what-ifs or if-onlys. His way is through the great waters (Psalm 77:19) not around it. It is God who leads us through the seas of troubles and teaches us to follow. He has you here for his good purposes.

Consider the imprisoned Apostle Paul who was called to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. How does one bring the gospel and encourage the saints while behind bars? He writes letters to the churches from a cell and has them sent off by faithful brothers. These letters are the eternal word of God. Did Paul know that thousands of years later his letters would impact the world for Jesus? I’m not sure he did. God’s purpose for Paul’s imprisonment was eternal. God’s purpose for our perceived obstacles are in fact his vehicles to accomplish what he has planned.

We cannot and should not deny the hard course we have walked or are currently treading through. Life has its difficulties. But in the midst of a painful, hard season of life God beckons us to trust in his sovereignty, his wisdom and his goodness. He is not indifferent to our struggles. His steadfast love extends to the heavens (Psalm 37:5). He is working for our good and for his glory (Romans 8:28).

Psalm 77:19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were unseen.

We do not travel alone; though his footprints are unseen he is with us. It was God who brought the frightened Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea. It was God who opened up the sea for them to continue on dry land. He will direct our path as we trust in him.

Commit your way to the Lord. Peace and contentment are found in knowing and trusting in the character of the One who, not only knows you and knows your struggles but appointed you to them and promised to be with you until the end of the age.

So run with endurance the race he has marked out for you! (Hebrews 12:2). He who called you is faithful; he will surely do it (Thessalonians 5:24).

The Tree

She notices the flaws and imperfections and hates them. Her branches and leaves weep and bend in sorrow and she lives in despair…

Until the painter comes along.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

The Tree is written and illustrated by my imaginative and creative friend, Stella. Stella is a 12 year old beloved child of God who thinks and feels deeply. She is not only a good communicator, but she is able to expresses herself artisticly in drawing, as well as the written word. I am so happy to share this piece of her work with you!

The tree is unlike any other tree. Gracefully bent, helping all of the others by catching their fallen leaves and giving them someone to look down on in their straight and perfect form. All of them seem to be perfect- taller, straighter, fuller, and more beautiful than this tree. She is bent and withered. Wrapped in vines and full of knots and discolored leaves. Another tree is behind her. Short, but still straight. The tree that has lived unlike the others is prepared to help the little one. It is her responsibility – and she is used to it.

She is hidden in a crowd – but colorful and unique. Her job is to assist. Her arguments never to be won; lives to be wrong and left in a shadow. Her beauty and imperfections are looked down upon compared to that of the straighter, taller, plainer trees.

Unappreciated and unknown.

By others…

But mostly by herself.

She notices the flaws and imperfections and hates them. Her branches and leaves weep and bend in sorrow and she lives in despair…

Until the painter comes along.

The painter sees her.

The painter ignores all the flaws as imperfections and sees them as tools. The knots are good for climbing, the branches bent to suit a small girl. The vines prepared to bear beautiful blossoms. The leaves are as colorful as a rainbow drawn by a child.

She wishes to be noticed like this. Always appreciated.

But for now she’ll wait.

Until she grows…

Into the tree…

That all the others are.

Except when she does…

She’ll be more beautiful.

More graceful.

More than all the others.

Have You Room for Christ?

There was no veneer of godliness among those who followed Him. Just as the shepherds smelled of sheep, these people smelled of how they lived. And it is these same people who would, in turn, make room for Jesus, glorifying and praising God, sharing the good news with others.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

On December 21, 1862, Charles Spurgeon delivered a sermon appealing to his congregations to question whether there was room for Jesus in their conversations, their households, and especially in their hearts. “The palace, the forum and the inn have no room for Christ. Have you room for Christ?”

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. – Luke 2:6-7

Mary’s time had come and her baby was about to enter this world as every other child, but under very different circumstances. There was no guest room for them in the Inn. His birthplace would be that of animals. His eyes would open to a dark stable. His first smells would be typical of a barn. His first bed would be a feeding trough and his first visitors would be shepherds who smelled of sheep. 

This manger scene is a snapshot of how He lived his life. The Son of Man had no place to lay his head. Jesus was a king without an earthly home or throne. He lived in poverty and deprivation inviting others to join Him, trading earthly treasures for a heavenly kingdom. 

There was no room for Him with the scribes and Pharisees. Their squeaky clean appearance made them blind to the filthy condition of their own hearts. Jesus called them whitewashed tombs full of dead peoples bones and full of all uncleanness. (Matthew 23:27-28) He wasn’t welcome among the beautiful people whose own outward righteousness blinded them from their core unrighteousness and rendered them unable to detect the stench it produced.

During His earthly ministry He centered Himself among the poor and the needy, the blind and the sick, the tax collectors, the publicans and sinners. He called those who were considered scabs on the skin of society – the unlovely and immoral. There was no veneer of godliness among those who followed Him. Just as the shepherds smelled of sheep, these people smelled of how they lived. And it is these same people who would, in turn, make room for Jesus, glorifying and praising God, sharing the good news with others.

The human condition is still as it was the day Jesus was born. There are those among us who are convinced their own righteousness is worthy of heaven without a savior. There are those of us all too aware of our own sin and feel the need to clean up the mess before inviting Jesus to be a part of our everyday world. We keep Him in church where we believe righteousness lives and don’t take Him home with us. 

Never forget that Jesus, born in unsanitary conditions, chose to live a life among and minister to the unclean dregs of society. He is comfortable in our mess. He creates order out of chaos and restores us to a right relationship with God. He gives us a new, tender heart to replace our hardened heart. He removes our filthy, unrighteous rags of iniquity and clothes us in splendid robes of righteousness. 

Knowing the unclean conditions Jesus was born into this world and how he lived, would it not make sense to make room for him in the unholy, unrighteous places of our own lives; our homes, our work, our conversations, and the innermost places in our hearts?

Just as no one cleaned up the stable before Jesus was born, we needn’t try to clean it all up before it is fit for the King of Kings to enter. We cannot make clean what sin has stained. Only Jesus can do that. We need only to make room for him. Open up the doors of your life and allow the Savior to clean from the inside out.

Have you room for Christ?

Camper Keys and Other Lost Things

One might be inclined to think that the “magic” to finding lost things is prayer but that’s just not true. Many a lost item has been covered in prayer yet never found and many things have been found without even a scant prayer. The focus of my story is not that lost keys were found but that, as the object of God’s affection, (Deut. 10:15) God bowed down to see me and pursued my heart.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

We seek after what we value. We determine to look for what was lost until we find it. We diligently search for it. It becomes a mental preoccupation. We may go about our day as usual but our minds cannot rest until we have recovered what was lost. We keep a watchful eye out for a glimpse of it. The fear of never finding it gnaws at our peace.

Some things just wander off like children and pets, unaware they are lost. Some things are carelessly handled and get lost in the shuffle of life like a cell phone, keys and my morning cup of coffee and some things just rebel like wayward children or chained dogs who’ve broken loose and run in freedom.

Jesus, in Luke 15 told three parables; The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coins and Lost Sons. In each of these narratives, something of personal value is lost, the owner ardently searches for it, and when it is found there is much rejoicing and a calling together of people to celebrate. Peace and joy replaced troubled hearts and anxious thoughts. A thankful heart is inspired to throw a party and celebrate!

I have a personal parable of lost and found…maybe not a parable but a really sweet story. The story of the lost camper keys. The setting is a campground in northern New Hampshire. It begins as I lock the camper and tuck my keys into my bag before going out to dinner. After dinner we made a quick stop at Walmart and then headed back to the campground. Upon arrival I went to grab my keys to open the camper – gone. I searched frantically for them; in my bag, in the truck, on the ground. I prayed and searched for about 15 minutes. I called both the restaurant and Walmart but no one had turned in my keys.

My husband was not impressed. His eye-roll tone of voice revealed his annoyance. He knew where his keys were and promptly unlocked the door. I think if it hadn’t been only three days earlier that I had left my wallet at the local seafood restaurant while picking up takeout, he may have had a wee bit more grace for me. The fact that I recovered my wallet, in tact, had no bearing on the fact that I had lost it.

Now this. I was feeling a bit like an irresponsible child. I still held out hope of finding them though I was ready to resign myself to the fact that they were forever lost. Keys are, after all, replaceable.

Out to dinner again, our last night of camping, we decided to run by Walmart just to see if maybe someone had turned in my keys. In passing I made the comment that I never remembered not finding something lost that I had prayed about. There was silence in the truck.

When we entered the store everyone scattered in different directions, each in search of something different. I headed straight for Customer Service. The very nice lady held up a set of keys…not my keys. When I described the retro key ring she held up a finger signaling hold on and promptly returned with my keys. MY KEYS! I nearly sobbed!. After a somewhat awkward exchange, (I think she was taken aback by my exuberance and joy) I hurried off to find the others!

Finding the keys was remarkable! Telling my husband was more than delightful! I found my husband and his response did not disappoint. He was stunned. He couldn’t believe it! He laughed. I cried. From down the aisle our friend rushed up to us and told me he had felt badly knowing that I had prayed for keys that he was pretty sure I wouldn’t find. He laughed! We all laughed! And all the way home I wept.

There were no tears when I lost the keys. I felt badly but I wasn’t undone. I wept when I found them out of this weird combination of humility and joy. I was delighted to find them but I was undone by the grace and mercy of the Lord. On the surface, this was about keys – just keys – but underneath this was a God-seized opportunity for His glory to shine on me in my smallness but not just me. My husband and my friend saw what I saw and knew what I knew and marveled. A kind and loving God revealed himself in an ordinary place. I saw the Lord because He saw me. He is the God who sees me. (Genesis 16:13)

One might be inclined to think that the “magic” to finding lost things is prayer but that’s just not true. Many a lost item has been covered in prayer yet never found and many things have been found without even a scant prayer. The focus of my story is not that lost keys were found but that, as the object of God’s affection, (Deut. 10:15) God bowed down to see me and pursued my heart. I was confronted and humbled by His love in a small place yet in an overwhelming way to the praise of His glory!

How astounding that a Holy and Wise God reaches down to build relationship with us though a million small things over the course of a lifetime! His love reaches to the heavens and his faithfulness to the skies! And in His light we see light. (Psalm 36:5, 9)

But Mary…

And in this moment of hearing the marvelous account from the shepherds, Mary doesn’t share her own story with them. She adds this piece of God’s story to her treasure chest of knowing, seeing and confirming.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

Luke 2:8-20 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And The angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Imagine, just another starry night out in the field with the sheep and suddenly the glory of the Lord shines, as no other source of light, and an angel appears before them. The angel has a message; good news of great joy for all the people. He tells them of the Saviors birth and where to find him. And then a host of angels, an army, appears declaring peace with God brought by the Savior. The fear-gripped shepherds didn’t speak until the angels went away from them into heaven. Immediately, they hurried off to see for themselves this thing that the Lord had made known to them.

The shepherds rejoiced in what they saw. They glorified and praised God for what they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had said. In utter amazement and wonder, they joyfully declared this good news to others. The shepherds made known the saying that had been told to them concerning this child. And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary… Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Mary already had a heart full of treasured moments. She had her own angelic experience and when she shared with Elizabeth all that the angel had told her it became real. While Mary must have had a difficult conversation with Joseph, there is no record of her sharing this news with anyone up until this moment. As Mary spoke, the babe in Elizabeth’s womb lept for joy. When Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, confirmed the identity of Mary’s yet to be born son, Mary’s heart rejoiced and filled to an overflowing song of praise.

She was the one chosen to give birth to the son of God, Savior of the world. What a fantastic realization! Mary’s song exalts God as merciful, faithful and mighty. Her spirit rejoiced in God “my” Savior.

And in this moment of hearing the marvelous account from the shepherds, Mary doesn’t share her own story with them. She adds this piece of God’s story to her treasure chest of knowing, seeing and confirming. She contemplates and reflects on past, present and future not fully knowing how it will be lived out but fully knowing it is true.

Mary has given birth to the Savior of the world.

But Mary…

One For All

The call to serve, grow and mature is a corporate undertaking. Growing together as the body of Christ is an others-centered pursuit of growth for the maturity of the entire body.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

One for all, all for one. While this declaration and motto of The Three Musketeers is not in the Bible, it is a principle of unity found in the New Testament. The concept of this motto is that the one supports and is dedicated to and lives for the good of everyone within the group and the group supports and is dedicated to and lives for the good of the one. The deep bond of love, trust, commonality of purpose, beliefs and goals strengthens the resolve of dedication to one another, placing the good of another above and before one’s own interests and profit/gain. It’s a living out of a surrendered life that sacrifices for others. This is the way of the body of Christ. We grow together maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This theme is woven through the New Testament.

If you are a Christian it is likely that you would agree that spiritual disciplines are essential to spiritual growth. Our growth as believers is directly related to our personal training; study of the Bible, prayer, fasting, journaling etc. As 1 Tim. 4:7 says, we are to train ourselves for godliness. The purpose of our training is not to be trained. The Pharisees were well trained in spiritual disciplines. They were trained and displayed their piety as a performance for all to see and admire. But God calls us beyond the exercise of these disciplines to a heart and mind transformation. It is through these disciplines that we become more like Jesus in desires, affections and character. It’s the process of becoming what Christ has already made us. Though we are positionally righteous through the person and work of Jesus, we grow experientially into that position which will never be fully attained this side of heaven.

In society today, personal growth and development has become a multi-million dollar industry. People from all backgrounds, professions and vocations are pursuing personal development for career and life. This focus on self improvement can be a selfish endeavor. Generally speaking, the desire to become a better me or live my best life now is for my own personal gain. This is the way of the world.

God gives us a higher reason to pursue personal growth and development. The call to serve, grow and mature is a corporate undertaking. Growing together as the body of Christ is an others-centered pursuit of growth for the maturity of the entire body.

Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking truth in love, we are to grow up in every way to him who is the head into Christ, from who the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love for us made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). We are His body; the bride of Christ. We have an obligation, born out of that great love, to grow up and mature in Christ that goes far beyond personal development. It is our duty, our act of devotion to Christ and our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. As believers and followers of Jesus, we must set our hearts on knowing Him and growing up in every way into Him. Personal growth leads to corporate growth. When we work together for the maturity of one body we take responsibility for one another and help each other grow up into Christ who is the head. When we use our God-given gifts, talents and resources to encourage one another toward Christ-likeness, we build one another up and mature as others around us are also building one another up and maturing. We grow and mature together.

When a group of naturally imperfect, self-centered people are joined together in any group, it gets complicated by personalities, passions and deceitful desires. He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Cor. 5:15) He died that we might no longer have to live for ourselves. Only by the work of the Spirit are we able to put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of our minds and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22-24) It is only then that we can speak the truth with our neighbors because we are members of one anther. (Eph.4:25)

If we are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called (Eph. 4:1), we must be prepared to walk it with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This walk is marked by direction, effort, purpose and progress. It is characterized by humility, truth in love, gentleness, patience and a bearing with one another. It is made possible only by the outpouring of God’s abundant grace. It’s not a mindless, casual stroll in the park. It’s an intentional, others-centered walk toward unity and maturity in Christ.

Believers are called to live in unity together. There is one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4). I must be devoted to growing, maturing and living for Christ because I am constrained and compelled by His love for me and my beholden, reciprocating love for him. I can only consider and commit my self to this great call of “until we all attain…” (Ephesians 4:11) because of His great love and sufficient grace.

One for all, all for one.

Less of ME

Followers of John were concerned that Jesus was stealing his ministry. John knew if people were to follow Jesus they could not follow him.

The Upward Path1 Comment

Show-stealing, glorying-thieving human nature always wants to be the best, the brightest, the most spectacular and the hero. The flesh wants to rise up and be seen, heard and known. The flesh competes with Jesus for the spotlight. How often we lose sight of the fact that we are but specks of dust reflecting His glory. We have no glory of our own. All our springs; the sources of life, blessings and everything good is in the Lord.

John knew. His mission was to boldly foretell and proclaim the coming of the Messiah. He lived his whole life to this end. He humbly, obediently, served the Lord his God as a way-maker and path-forger, heralding the news of the coming Messiah. John was chosen by God to introduce Jesus as the Messiah to the world and to baptize him and yet he didn’t see himself worth to carry his sandals.

John 3:26-30 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to who you bore witness – look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Imagine this scene playing out on stage. John introduces Jesus to the audience and positions Him center stage. John baptizes Jesus and then he steps out of the spotlight. The light on John fades to dark as the spotlight shines brighter on Jesus. John does not aspire to share the stage of fame with Jesus. As he said to his followers, “He must increase, but I must decrease.

Followers of John were concerned that Jesus was stealing his ministry. John knew if people were to follow Jesus they could not follow him. As John explained to his followers, he who has the bride is the bridegroom. The best man is not in competition with the bridegroom. John was not in competition with Jesus. Instead of rivalry there is joy in the heart of the best man as he witnesses the marriage of the bride and bridegroom. John’s joy was complete. The best man steps aside still pointing to the bridegroom calling attention to him. John must step aside as the Messiah moves forward.

Remind us Lord that our hope and significance lie in Jesus, the one who lived for our righteousness and died for our sin. Jesus, name above all names in heaven and in all the earth is the bright and morning star. We can never outshine You! When we compete with You for glory and attention, humble our heart with the reminder of who we are compared to who You are. Give us the grace and humility to submit to You in the process of becoming less as you become more as we are a people not worthy to carry your sandals.

More of Him, less of me!

Who do You Really Represent?

When I remember my role as ambassador to Christ, the good name of Jesus will be showcased in all my associations; my family, my marriage, my job and my church. Before and above all else, I represent Jesus and endeavor to live in such a way that His name be made famous.

The Upward PathLeave a comment

My thinking was myopic and faulty. I had fallen short. While it was true, I represented my church and the desire to represent well was a good objective, it was secondary to my ambassadorship of Christ Jesus. As a believer and follower of Christ, I am sent out as ambassador to represent the one who sent me and to demonstrate His character in the manner by which I live and speak. As Christians we are called to represent Christ in words and actions. Acts 1:8, 2 Cor. 5:20

As I was making a reservation for a women’s retreat I determined, as a representative of my local church, to be especially kind, polite and patient. I had resolved to live out Colossians 4:5-6, Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

As it turned out, there was a bit of confusion on the part of the hotel representative as to who we were and there appeared to be no block of rooms available for our group. A short phone call became long, filled with questions and long pauses of being on hold.

When the confusion was eventually cleared up, the hotel representative thanked me for my kindness. As I hung up the phone my heart swelled with gratitude for the grace to represent my church well by exercising patience and kindness. That momentary sense of victory turned to piercing conviction and joy turned to sorrow. I had fallen short of the mark.

Though I had set my mind to represent the church well, the object of my representation was wrong. My goal is not to make my church look good. It’s to showcase my Lord to the praise of His glory. How quickly and easily I forget that while we live out our lives before human-kind, we live for the good name above all names, Jesus Christ and for His glory.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify God in heaven.

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness!

When I remember my role as ambassador to Christ, the good name of Jesus will be showcased in all my associations; my family, my marriage, my job and my church. Before and above all else, I represent Jesus and endeavor to live in such a way that His name be made famous.

Psalm 45:17 I will cause Your name to be remembered to all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Above and before all else, I represent Jesus.

Should not my every encounter be an opportunity of mindful representation?

The Low Whisper

The amazing, miraculous, and astounding are seen because their presents disrupts, unsettles and overshadows the ordinary. What of the daily whispers? How do we recognize God in the common?

The Upward Path1 Comment

I had forgotten that hearing God in the ordinary everyday moments of life was a practiced ability. It is a skill to be honed as a tool, tuned as an instrument and sharpened as a blade. It requires conscious, continuous practice to hear the low whisper of God in the ordinary; to recognize His presence in the smalls, the bigs and everything in between.

Recently, I asked a 10 year old if she ever remembered a time when she had asked God to help her do something that she knew and believed he had answered for her. It took a bit of thinking but her answer was a spectacular back flip into the pool. That was not the answer I was fishing for. I had cast my net out hoping for a simple, “I prayed for God to help me study for a test.” or “I prayed for courage to talk to the new girl at school.” I was hoping for a simple prayer in an ordinary moment in life.

But of course she thought of that particular moment! It was a hallmark feat in her life! She really knew and believed God was her helper. She called upon Him and He heard her. He was her helper. And a wonderful moment it was! It was personal and important to her. I was blessed to hear her story.

That moment made me think of how often we miss the low whispers of the God of the details. The same God who parted the seas also knows when one sparrow falls to the ground. While, as believers in Jesus, we want to be seen, heard and known by God, God desires to be seen, heard and known by His people. The invisible God is made known to us through His Word and creation. He is experienced as we diligently seek him even in the routine, common areas of our lives. He acts on our behalf as we wait for him (Isaiah 64:4).

Elijah was prophet running for his life from the wicked Jezebel. In a cave on Mount Horeb the word of the Lord came to him.

1 Kings 19:11-13 And he Said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord Passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And After the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and After the fire, the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in the cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?’

God was not found in the spectacular; the wind, the earthquake, the fire. God was found in the low whisper. There were no flashing lights, sirens, ground shaking announcements or heraldic proclamations. A low whisper. When Elijah heard it, he drew closer to it and positioned himself to hear. Elijah desired a personal moment with the Lord. Only those who are near, with an ear tuned to the voice can hear a low whisper.

The amazing, miraculous, and astounding are seen because their presence disrupts, unsettles and overshadows the ordinary. What of the daily whispers? How do we recognize God in the common? How do we come to realize that God helps us in our strengths as well as our weaknesses? It is He who gives us gifts, talents and abilities and who helps us in our struggles. He is still there directing and delighting in the details. Psalm 37:23 tells us that “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” And yet, so often we miss Him in the common, everyday, ordinary moments of life.

Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.

Recognizing God in the whispers of life takes practice. How did Elijah listen? He drew closer to God’s voice and positioned himself to hear. Elijah tuned his ear to the voice of God. One very simple but profoundly important way to hear God in everyday, ordinary moments of life is to pray about those very things. Praying positions us to wait and watch for the Lord. Praying heightens our awareness of God’s presence in those moments. Praying affords us a platform for gratitude and thankfulness and multiplies blessings and glory back to the giver of all good gifts. Praying and giving thanks in all things reckons us to say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper.” (Heb. 13:6)

Loving Father and Attentive Lord, I pray to you that I might see you this day in the whispers of life; that I may seek to know you in the ordinary and recognize your handiwork and fingerprint on the details of my day. Give me the grace to recognize and acknowledge, in those moments of accomplishment, that in my own strength and apart from you I can do nothing. May your spirit open my eyes to see you in all things and give me a listening ear to hear your still, small voice. Amen!