Devotional: Pressing On

¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 Carrying on from last time, and the idea of being released from a performance mindset ... the next part of this well-known passage in Philippians seems at first glance to be all about performance, but really ... it’s the opposite.

Because we’re told here not to consider what we’ve already done. Not the failures, not even the successes. Because regardless, until we’re finished here, we aren’t finished.

We are all works in progress, regardless of who we are, and what we’ve done.

You know that verse about Elijah having a nature like ours? Well, the reading at church a couple of weeks ago was the passage of him running off to hide from Jezebel right after the victory on Mount Carmel ... and I was struck by Elijah’s words, “I am not better than my fathers.”

Right after this amazing event where God Himself answered Elijah’s prayers with fire from heaven.

Fire, y’all. So hot it burned up not only the sacrifice but the water and dust and very stones.

And Elijah’s response to being hunted by a pagan queen? I am not better than my fathers.

I remembered the night after taking my mom back to the hospital in September, feeling like such a failure for not being able to keep taking care of her at home, feeling indeed like every endeavor I’ve set my hand to in the course of my life has either been unfinished or just ... fizzled. Weeping before the Lord because in nearly half a century on this earth, I’d wanted more. I’d expected more, not of life but of myself.

Was so tired of handing God only messes and half-finished projects.

I am not better than my fathers.

Elijah really was just like us.

For all the times I’ve seen fire fall from heaven, seen God work out details and do, oh, amazing things ... I am disappointed to learn I’m still the same fallen flesh and blood as my parents and grandparents. The ones who wanted to follow God but somehow never accomplished what they wanted to for Him. The ones who abused or neglected those in their care. The ones who let their impulses and sin rule them.

And yet ... I cannot cling to the past. Yes, I can look back and see where I’ve come from, see what God has done for me and how unworthy I am of His grace, but I have to turn and keep walking.

Keep running.

Don’t look back. Don’t be distracted by who I think might be gaining on me. Don’t wish this part of the path was like the one before.

What’s that SEAL motto? “The only easy day was yesterday”?

Keep pressing on!

¹⁵ Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 3, NKJV)

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Devotional: Counting All Things As Loss

² Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, ⁴ though I also might have confidence in the flesh.

My mind often snags on the most insignificant details. In a passage discussing the surpassing value of knowing Christ in comparison to earthly accomplishments, the opening sentence leaves me puzzled. The words “evil workers” is clear enough, but what did Paul mean by dogs and the mutilation? I have to remind myself I’m writing a devotional and not a commentary.

Because the wider theme of this passage is too important to ignore, or to let myself sidetrack away from. Those of us who have been blessed (or not) with earthly status or talent, who might have even modestly impressive accomplishments stacked on our shelves, can find it hard to remember that true success in this life doesn’t depend upon who we are, or what we do. And a performance-based sense of worth is an insidious thing, creeping in and taking root even when we think we’re on guard against it

Certain things are valuable in life, true. Our family forms our most basic starting place in life, education gives us knowledge and skills to build upon that. Our life experience forms the tapestry woven between everything else, providing color and texture and substance. But ... is that the sum total of our worth? Who we are?

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

⁷ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish ...

No, Paul tells us. He had quite the list of things he could have taken pride in, but he chose to let God strip those away—“indeed I ... count them as rubbish”—that they were nothing more than trash in comparison to Christ’s righteousness and the path God laid out for him.

What does this mean for us? We like talking about knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection ... but the fellowship of His sufferings and being conformed to His death? Not so much. Yet it’s an inescapable fact that the path of glory lies through hardship and, yes, even suffering.

And people can tell you that you’re doing a great job, that you have so much to your credit, but does any of that last? We’ll all someday come to the end our lives, and not one thing that we are, or have done, will keep us from facing the aging process or death in some form. All that prevails, all that will endure, is who we are in Jesus.

... that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3, NKJV)

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Devotional: Likeminded in Love

These last few months I’ve been immersed in full-time care of my mother. The first weeks were spent trying to establish a routine, figuring out her medicines and meals and what I could do to help her regain as much strength as possible. In the meantime, this passage of Philippians rattled around in my head, as I puzzled over the mention of a man who went to such lengths to aid Paul in his ministry that he endangered his own health.

I mean, who does that? And how on earth is it honoring to God to run ourselves into the ground while caring for others?

... as I battled first a three-day viral sore throat, and then later discovered I’d developed a bladder infection. But I pressed on through all the not-feeling-great, because my mother’s needs were more pressing, more immediate than mine.

Lord, this is not the way I want you to show me what this passage is about.

I’d already been thinking about Paul’s term likeminded and how he applies it, not to sameness of personal conviction, but sameness of care, of love.

Though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13)

Do we catch that? Likemindedness is not about mode of dress or style of music or how we choose to educate our children! It’s about how well we love. And Paul said he had no one like Timothy who genuinely cared about a particular group of people as he did.

Now, weeks after the heart attack and small strokes that made it necessary to find my mother rehab care, I’m still puzzling over it. We had some very tender moments—but then we had just as many that were decidedly NOT tender.

In fact, there were more tough moments than not.

I think again of Paul and the bigness of feeling that he must have held for the people to whom he was writing these words ... and then it occurs to me ... it isn’t about the feeling. It’s about the actions.

We hear that, all our lives, how love is not a feeling but an act of the will. And for the first time, I understand.

I served my Mom, tended her, put up with the difficulties, because ... it was the right thing to do. I love her, despite the frustrations and tears and having to watch the woman I knew and admired slowly fade. More importantly, I love God, and I was committed to doing what was necessary to honor her and thus Him. Though I know our commitment to God takes many forms, and the exact path looks different for all of us, I found it keenly ironic that I had no words for this particular section of Philippians until I walked through it on my own.

Funny how God's Word--and life--is often like that.

¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

²⁵ Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; ²⁶ since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. (Philippians 2:19-30, NKJV)

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Devotional: Poured Out

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Philippians 2, NKJV)

The passage reminds me of a children’s animated series several years ago, titled 3-2-1 Penguins. This particular episode, The Amazing Carnival of Complaining, featured a nefarious carnival owner who attracted children to his establishment, set them up for disappointment, and encouraged them to whine and gripe. This turned the children literally into little seeds of discontent, which he then used to pollute an entire planet. The main character of the series realized after a while that the remedy was found in Philippians 2:14, a verse his grandmother had conveniently quoted to him earlier. He encouraged the complaining children to find something to be thankful for. Duly exhorted, the “seeds” turned back into real children and the planet was saved.

Sometimes, of course, life dishes out far more than mere disappointment over a two-bit carnival. Maybe it’s having to stand by and watch someone else receive recognition while your work is passed over. Maybe it’s outright loss. Maybe it’s having to keep plodding on and serving others from your own place of hurt and need.

I think it’s no accident that this section falls next in line the week I’m taking over care of my medically fragile mother, because that last is what hits me square in the heart.

Caring for others is physically as well as emotionally taxing. I’m not as young as I used to be, nor as fit. I’m on my own for a week, assisting my stepdad and learning Mom’s medical needs and routines, while my family is home. I miss my husband and kids. I miss my bed, my coffee, my own car. But you know—I’ve longed for years to be more involved in my mother’s care, as her health has failed. To be closer and spent more time with her. To have the chance to minister personally, before God decides to take her home.

Well, He’s giving me the opportunity now.

Yes, this is hard. I was scared spitless going into it, and already I’ve felt overwhelmed at times. But God’s grace and strength have been absolutely present in the moment I actually needed them.

What I hadn’t expected was the joy ... the sheer blessing (yes, the word is overused but there’s no other word for it) of being here for my mother, to serve her and care for her in ways I never really have before ... in ways maybe others can’t.

Because ... it is a blessing. And I’m so grateful for it.

¹⁷ Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2, NKJV)

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Devotional: God Who Works In Us

How much of what we do is us? How much us God working in us?

I would submit, it’s both.

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2, NKJV)

Work out our own salvation ... because it is God who works in us.

How on earth can that be?

In all the debates between faith vs. works, this is the concept that seems hardest to wrap our brains around.

We give ourselves ... we surrender, we pour our hearts into what God has for us ... and the beautiful mystery is that in the giving, in the surrendering, God is the one preparing us, softening our hearts, pouring His Spirit over and through all we do. We cannot even desire to do the right thing without the Holy Spirit’s influence.

That means I can’t even want to do good without Him.

So, what is my own willingness? What is God working in me?

Both. All of it. And until we reach eternity, I’m not sure we really can properly comprehend it.

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Devotional: Every Knee Will Bow

Good Friday, 2015. The Church was rocked, once again, by the news of  Kenyan university students, targeted for their faith and slaughtered as many of them worshiped together in observance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Those of us who stood by and watched helplessly as the news broke and the body count rose, what do we do with that?

Certainly, as I commented last week, we realize that suffering for the cause of Christ is an honor. But the blood—and the bodies—are so stark.

So final.

What’s worse, we hear of the attackers systematically asking the students whether they were Muslim or Christian, and sparing the former while killing the latter. We know God sees, but ... does He really plan to do anything about it?

The apostle Paul says yes, emphatically. Because Jesus, the glorious God-Man, our ultimate Hero, stepped down from what was His rightful place to become one of us—to become one of the most lowly of His creation, a man with no title and not even an earthly home, and then died a horrifically torturous death for our sakes, He will be exalted—lifted up—and given a name that will, in a most literal and physical sense, drive all of humanity to its knees in worship and acknowledgement of His rightful place over the universe.

Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess.

I’ve heard it said, we have no choice in the bowing, but we have a choice on when. We either willingly bow now, and confess now—even if we possibly lose our lives for it—or be forced to it, just before facing judgment.

Utterly sobering, but—also comforting, for those of us who believe in Christ.

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2, NKJV)

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Devotional: Bad Press Is Good Press

Christians are getting some seriously bad press lately. There are whole groups now dedicated to eradicating people of our faith from certain areas of the world, groups who have expressed their ambition to wipe Christianity off the face of the earth entirely.

When concern is expressed over this, reactions range from dismissive comments about these groups trying to generate media attention, to Christians being told “get over” the supposed persecution, since so much wrong and abuse has been perpetrated in the name of Christ.

I don’t want to go all political with this, just pointing out some of the responses to things happening in the world right now. And what’s our proper response to it?

In reading through Philippians, the thought occurred to me that the apostle Paul knew that even bad press was good press.

Think about recent public debates ... everything from popular books and films to megachurch pastors. A recent popular novel hardly registered on my personal radar until the huge flap over its adaptation to film, and while I was never interested in actually seeing it, I read many articles about the cultural phenomenon that was this story (and others). Similarly, a controversy surrounding a particular well-known pastor spurred me to dig into his teachings to see for myself if he was really as heretical as people claimed.

In other words ... anytime there’s a stink about something, people’s curiosity will be aroused. Some of those people might even find their opinions swinging in favor of whatever is being criticized so strenuously.

This might seem a poor comparison. Paul was not a fly-by-night evangelist nor a power-hungry pastor looking to keep people in line, but it’s clear that he knew plenty of both:

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ¹⁶ The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Can you imagine? He said, Christ is preached, whether it was done with a pure heart or not. This rather turns on its head the idea that the message is only valid insomuch as the messenger maintains integrity.

Of course, this doesn’t change the fact that as believers, our integrity is important. Vital, even.

²⁷ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

Whoa. Do you see that? Not in any way terrified by your adversaries.

As our brothers and sisters across the ocean are being slaughtered for their faith—as they whisper the name of the One who gave us a reason for courage to begin with—we can also take courage.

Not in any way terrified. Despite the news reports. Despite the dismissive attitudes of those who don’t share our faith, who maybe even think we’re getting what we deserve.

 ²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Could it be ... it really is an honor to suffer?

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Devotional: To Walk Worthy

Attending the funeral of a young woman who just flew away home to heaven after a six-year battle with cancer will give a person perspective like little else. I couldn’t wait to get home and hug my husband and tell him I love him, and hopefully sweep away some of the stupid, petty drama we engaged in this morning.

Even though I know in a couple of hours there will probably be even more stupid, petty drama, because we’re human.

I’ve been thinking this week about that saying, “Only the good die young,” and how that has some truth to it, if we believe that a person only reaches “perfection”—spiritual maturity—at a point more or less close to when God calls them home. Maybe those who die young are those who have reached perfection sooner than the rest of us.

Of course, that probably means I’ll be here until I’m a hundred and thirty, if God doesn’t call us home until we get our lives more or less straight. Why can’t I just get a grip on loving my family and ignoring the urge to create stupid, petty drama? Life is feeling shorter than ever these days, even though I’ve always believed in living with an eye to eternity.

After hearing this young woman’s family talk about her bravery and determination to bless others, and the impact of her faith and life on theirs, I’m more determined than ever to not waste the time God has given me. To heed the apostle Paul’s admonishment that we live our lives in a way that brings honor to Christ.

But Lord, You have to help me do this, because I sure can’t do it on my own ...

⁶... He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ ...

²⁷ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel ... (Philippians 1, NKJV)

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Devotional: Hard Pressed But Not Crushed

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. (Philippians 3:1 NKJV)

I often say that I know we aren’t finished until the moment we step through the veil of time into eternity, but ...

We really aren’t finished yet.

Sometimes I’m weary just of the sameness of life. Dishes, laundry, getting up, going to work, come home, eat dinner, bedtime, just to do it all over again. That’s the stuff of everyday life.

I write repeatedly of grace, finding strength in God, of renewing our trust in Him ... that too is the stuff of everyday life.

And really, what else is there, but to continually turn ourselves back to the glory of God? Do we ever tire of admiring beauty? Should we tire of it? Just because there was a sunset yesterday, do we not stop to look at today’s, and marvel over the play of light and color?

Paul makes it clear that we aren’t here just to endure the everyday grind of life. That even when things are tough, or beyond so—even when a situation seems impossible, and our soul and spirit cries out for the release of our homegoing—God has a specific purpose in our remaining here. And although our own refining and spiritual growth is part of that purpose, it may not be the only one.

Sometimes, it’s because those around us still need us.

Part of me flinches at that. I’m not one who thrives upon being needed—as a mother of many I battle an almost constant, low-level resentment against the demands on my time and energy. Nurturing doesn’t come naturally to me, either. But when I let go ... stop thinking of it as myself meeting a need but the Lord meeting needs through me, it becomes peaceful, even joyful ... almost easy.

Paul seemed to have a pretty good grip on that concept. Me, I’m still learning. How to say the words of encouragement that God is leading me to, in the moment. That praying for others is so much more satisfying than praying for myself. Oh, I know in my head that it’s more blessed to give than receive, but in those moments—days, weeks, months—that God is calling me to push through my own pain, weakness, and need to be there for another, it can feel near impossible. Like, of course God couldn’t let life be simple, at least not for very long, without one more wave of drama to come along and upset my equilibrium.

And yet, when I remind myself that He is God—that He holds every single detail and has a purpose even in what seems too hard to bear—I can feel the peace. I can rest in knowing He’s got it all figured out, even as He seems to delight in keeping us guessing.

In the moments where He must somehow be enough ... He always is.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then death is working in us, but life in you. (2 Corinthians 4, NKJV)

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Devotional: The Humanness of Jesus, Take 2

Jesus was human as well as divine. We know this.

But was He really human?

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2, NKJV)

This next passage of Philippians dovetails nicely with the onset of Lent. The great mystery of the Incarnation: God coming down to become one of us, to experience humanity, then to die for humanity. I wrote last year about the humanness of Jesus, but this week, I find myself freshly astonished.

Someone said that Christians tend to think Jesus was not really human ... that He was only pretending to be human. Guilty as charged! Too often I mentally dismiss the element of peril within the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and then being tempted. After all, He was God, He couldn't really have fallen, in that situation.

Could He?

Someone else commented, however, that temptation by its very nature means the person being tempted actually entertained the notion of doing what’s presented to him. Could Jesus actually have considered turning those stones to bread? Leaping off the pinnacle of the temple to prove His godhood? We might never know.

We do see His utter humanness in the garden of Gethesemane, where He cries out to God to spare Him the experience of the Cross if any other way can be made to accomplish our salvation. (As my pastor said last year, He was God and all glory belonged to Him anyway, so it wasn’t like He had do this.) But this struck me all over again, in Jesus’ chiding of the disciples for sleeping when He’d asked them to watch and pray. We don’t tend to think of Jesus as needing prayer ... but bound in deep dread over what He was about to face—because He had to absolutely know the kind of pain that crucifixion would involve—He was stressed to the point of hemorrhaging through His skin. He’d asked these men, the three who were closest to Him than any others in His earthly walk, to stay by His side while He wrestled through the dread. And then to find, three times, that they just fell asleep ...

Was He only asking for moral support?  Scripture suggests that at least part of His concern was for the dicsiples, especially Peter, to pray for their own strength in the coming trial. But we can hear it in His voice ... Guys! I needed you ... maybe I never did before but I did now ... and you let me down.

How many times have I felt that exact thing over the past few years? That at my point of greatest need, some of those I considered my closest friends failed to be there for me?

To suddenly see that my glorious, beautiful Redeemer did as well, comforts me like nothing else.

Wow, He really was as fully human as He is God.

And He was the perfect Savior to sympathize with our own weakness.

⁴¹ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” ⁴³ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22, NKJV)

³² Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. ³⁴ Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

³⁵ He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. ³⁶ And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

³⁷ Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

³⁹ Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. ⁴⁰ And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

⁴¹ Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Mark 14, NKJV)

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Sunday Devotional: What is Love?

I’ll be honest ... I hate writing about love.

Love is the one thing we crave above all others and the one thing we’re the worst at, in our own selves. I’d argue that it even comes above money or power, for various reasons. It’s easy to grasp for money and power, but love—the real thing—cannot by its own nature be grasped for. We can’t force someone to love us. We can’t even earn it, not really.

And however good or nice or spiritual those around me think I am, real love is something I fail at every day.

⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1, NKJV)

Love’s primary motivation is the benefit of others. However it gets twisted between motive and execution, I think we all know this. But it’s easy to forget that Jesus said the one defining mark of His followers would be, not their pure doctrine or flawless worship, but their love for each other.

But what does that mean? What does real love look like?

In the backwash of another Valentine’s Day, where all the focus is on romance, and all the flap over 50 Shades of Grey, I find myself wondering whether there are limits to “love suffers long,” how we wound up with a whole day devoted to selling candy and flowers, and how we can have books like The Five Love Languages and still we don’t “love well” any more than we ever did.

I think somewhere along the way, even the Church has missed the point.

Paul goes on in chapter 2:

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Notice that “like-minded” here has more to do with humility than it does matching a particular set of personal convictions. Do we serve with no thought of recognition? Are we jealous of the blessings others get, when we seem to be passed over? Do we think we’re too good, too educated, too skilled, for a particular task that needs doing? That our time is too important for us to stop for the menial things?

I’m guilty of all of these—as a mother, a wife, a neighbor, a member of a local church. And yes, we’re all human and we’re all guilty. But maybe, instead of thinking about romance or all the ways the newest book or movie craze is just awful, could we find just one way to make someone else’s day nicer, or ask the Lord to help us to be a blessing more than we seek blessings for ourselves?

Yes. We can all do that, regardless of what kind of relationships we find ourselves in. Because the deepest love was that of an infinite God who stooped to become one of us, who died in our place ... and who creates something of worth from our own fragile, finite loves.

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Sunday Devotional: More Needful For You

Paul, still speaking of his imprisonment in Rome ...

¹⁹ For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

 ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, ²⁶ that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. (Philippians 1, NKJV)

Everything we do, everything we endure, is for one thing ... for the sake of the One who came to this earth and gave His life for us.

Every effort we make ... His life, His Spirit, working in us, as we surrender ourselves to Him. And every moment we’re here, it’s another chance to pray, to encourage, to affect others for Him, to bring them closer to Him.

Yet, under the surface of all the work and prayer and concern, we feel a longing for release. For home.

I’ve written of that before, but it’s true. Even Paul, who saw so clearly in his time, felt that tug to step through the veil and be made finally complete. But he as tells us, sometimes our reason for being kept here isn’t so much for our own refining and growth—although that’s part of it too—as it is because we’re still needed by those around us.

I think about this as I’ve watched my mother suffer various medical trials the last few years, things which at any moment could have, and some almost did, take her life. A vibrant, intelligent woman with a deep love for color and art and reading, she spends her days now sitting, waiting, listening ... nearly blind and all but confined to one place. Why? I’ve asked, so many times.

Because her journey isn’t finished yet, I keep hearing.

The prayers she offers for those she loves are invaluable. And she provides a reminder of the fragility of human life and relationships. An opportunity for our family, and others, to learn to minister to those weaker than ourselves.

Sure, sometimes her mind is fuzzy from the medications. And she often asks the same questions over and over, and then gets so busy thinking about the next thing she wants to say/ask that she doesn’t wait for my answer. I miss the woman she used to be ... but she’s still my mom. And I still need her. I need the lessons of love, of humility, of compassion.

However useless I might feel, too, in the throes of whatever trial I happen to be going through, there’s someone who needs me, and the lessons I have to share. Probably several someones, and not only my husband and children.

I am not finished yet. And, I’m willing to bet, neither are you.

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Sunday Devotional: Do Not Worry

I grew up hearing, “Worry is a sin.” This is based, of course, on the scripture that tells us, “Do not be anxious for anything,” but ... what exactly is worry?

The dictionary would tell you that one definition of worry is to shake, to snap at or chew on, to rub repeatedly. This describes so perfectly what happens during those moments when we fall prey to our fears.

They pick us up ... shake us to disorient us ... then settle down for the chewing that leaves us shredded and raw.

The thought occurs to me ... maybe worry is not so much something that we do, as something that happens to us. And it’s the giving in to the worry—letting ourselves remain its victim, its prey—that we’re supposed to fight.

I suppose, really, it’s just a matter of semantics here, and “do not be anxious” and “do not give in to worry” are two different ways to say the same thing. Mentally, though, it helps me to think of the fear and worry as something outside myself, trying to get in and devour me.

Maybe it starts as a mere nibble at the edges of my heart. Maybe it’s a sharp snap, a snarl, that initially I recoil from. But it seems once worry gets its teeth into me, there’s a poison that seeps in, paralyzing, making me insensible to the fact that the worry is slowly, surely, shredding my soul and spirit.

How do we get free, then?

By throwing ourselves before the Lord. “...in everything, with all  prayer and supplication, make your requests known to God.” Sometimes it’s as simple as a desperate, God help me! Even that can provide at least the jolt that yanks us free from worry’s jaws.

Pray, we’re told, with every kind of prayer there is. And in everything. Not just the “big” things, but anything which threatens to steal in and nip at us. The more persistent the worry, the more prayer we should pour ourselves into.

And what then? A peace we cannot explain or even fully understand will, as Scripture says, guard us. God’s peace is, itself a force to be reckoned with. And lest we doubt that, do we consider the metaphor of peace “like a river”? We tend to think of peace like a pool, undisturbed, but Scripture says it’s as powerful and relentless as a flowing stream.

Imagine, then, a river sweeping in, and washing all those fears away.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4, NKJV)

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Sunday Devotional: For the Furtherance of the Gospel

⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1, NKJV)

I think sometimes the words of Scripture just slide over our minds without absorption or comprehension, especially if we were raised in church or been a believer for many years. This is one of those passages for me, or used to be ... now, I hear the deep, rich voice of an aged apostle, his inner fire burning down to a bed of embers by years of service to the Lord—and suffering in the course of that.

Maybe it’s having a fair bit of suffering under my belt as well, some of it rather fresh.

Why does this stuff happen to us, anyway?

¹² But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1, NKJV)

Beyond the sometimes nebulous “all things work together for good to those who love God” ... sometimes the Lord gives us a glimpse of the solid and immediate. “For the furtherance of the gospel” is just another way of saying, “so that the reality of redemption of grace will become apparent to more people who need it.” Paul at this point in his life was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. It’s easy for us, on this end of the Church Age, to be a little apathetic about the reality of that. But it’s the next part that gives me pause: Paul’s imprisonment effectively put him and his faith on display for the whole palace guard—and other believers became more vocal about their own faith.

I can see that, in the case of believers in our time, speaking out about various world events while safe in our own homes on this side of the ocean, but ... how can that be, right there in the same city?

Maybe it was that in seeing Paul’s confidence as he endured various sufferings, they realized even if they too were imprisoned for their faith—or worse—God was still very much in control. That they’d be given the grace, and the words, in every situation.

And maybe that’s what it’s about, that continuing, daily grace.

We each have our own little prisons, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. I think we all question why, at some point or another, but do we really believe that God can use those prisons not only for our good, but for the furtherance of His grace and mercy?

Walking in love, in grace, doesn’t mean we aren’t struggling with the situation—even Paul struggled mightily at times, and speaks in other places of being discouraged almost to the point of death. It simply means daring to continue to live out our faith despite the chains, and trust that until He frees us, God not only can but will use the situation “for the furtherance of the gospel.”

Can we do that? Can we dare to trust Him in everything?

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Sunday Devotional: A Work in Progress

At a certain point in our lives, we’d like to be able to settle in and just “do life.” Not think about the things we struggled with when we were younger. Move beyond the griefs, the heartaches ... hopefully even our own issues and baggage.

Real life doesn’t work like that.

Real life is, as I’ve written before, a journey, not to be finished until we step from this life into eternity. Patience is in putting one foot in front of the other, regardless of how weary we are. Courage is being willing to face whatever rears up in the path, demanding our attention and energy. A loss might be decades past, barely registering now as a dull ache ... a hurt from a friend might be long scarred over ... but one blow (or several) from the enemy of our souls, whether in a news report or careless words from those we love, can hit us where we’re most vulnerable and leaves us gasping and bleeding all over again.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of regaining our equilibrium and raising that shield of faith again. But sometimes God uses that to reveal that we haven’t really healed, we’ve only ignored the stinking, dirty bandage over a still-oozing wound, where things are embedded that really need to come out.

Time to pull off that bandage and throw it away. Let the Spirit wash the wound with the Word, reminding us of God’s relentless love and everlasting goodness, in all circumstances.

Let God reach in, despite the pain, and draw out the shards of bitterness, resentment, insecurity.

Then ... move on. Leave it in His hands. Learn to walk in true strength, instead of merely compensating.

And be prepared, the next time He taps us on the shoulder and lets us know that something needs attention, that this is a process, a journey. That we’re a constant work in progress, regardless of how old we are or how long we’ve walked with the Lord.

But someday ... someday, we’ll be home. And we’ll be finished works of art.

³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ... (Philippians 1, NKJV)

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