Our souls need a good trim too

Our yards have needed some extra work lately. That’s especially true for those of us in Texas. We don’t usually get snow, but this past winter was record-setting. For most of us, there are some plants that just gave up! Most of them needed to be really pruned so that the roots would be able to do their job.

After the tough season we have come through, our plants can teach an important spiritual lesson. Sometimes it’s best to submit our souls to that same process of pruning we apply to our plants. 

IF IT’S NOT GREEN, IT’S NOT GROWING 

Several of our plants looked bad after the freeze, but I waited for spring to arrive before choosing to remove them. I had hope for all of them, until it was obvious they didn’t make it. I snapped off a branch and realized it was brown all the way through. It easily broke in my hand because it was attached to dead roots. 

Those of us who live in Texas have learned that once April rolls around, if it isn’t green, it’s not growing. And so it goes with our spiritual lives. 

Sometimes we attach our hopes, even our trust, to something other than the true vine. This past year, we learned that those things don’t survive. 

What was growing in your life that didn’t make it through to the spring season? 

What things did you place your hope and trust in that didn’t prosper? 

Is it time to do some pruning?

Because if something isn’t green, or evergreen, it’s not growing. 

John 13–20 are some of the most poignant chapters in Scripture. Jesus’ beloved disciple records the lessons Jesus spoke during his last days on earth. In chapter 15, Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away” (vv. 1–2a). 

This past year, I think our heavenly Father pulled his pruning shears out in order to do a lot of work. Everyone’s life was altered in some way during 2020 and the winter that followed. Truthfully, no one is really certain the changes are over. But, there is a lot of hope. God will always be at work in the world, even on the hard days. 

THE ROOTS MATTER MOST 

I don’t think spring has ever felt like such a blessing! It was such a joy to worship God surrounded by people again. Easter Sunday felt like a time of rebirth and renewal. Joy always returns in the morning. 

It has been amazing to watch a rebirth in some of our plants too. I was just about to pull out a plant when I realized it was sprouting at the base. All it needed was the dead stuff cut off. Now it seems like that plant looks different every morning! 

That plant is what prompted this blog post. It has served as a parable to me this spring. The rest of John 15:2 says that “every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Is that what God was doing in our lives last year? 

As I look back on 2020 and the winter of 2021, I realize I had put a lot of trust in things other than God. We all worried about politics, people, and possessions. There were a LOT of days it was tough to find anything that looked like it was going well. 

We had a year of quiet, and it was a great year to spend focused on him. Now, as spring returns, how will your life look different? 

Maybe it feels like you have been cut down to the roots. But under God’s care, your life could be changing daily, growing and becoming something changed and stronger than it was before. 

It’s the root of our lives that matters most. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

Everything we did last year that was Spirit-led will produce fruit. Everything that was born from a different root will not be worth keeping. A lot of artificial fruit looks really good, but, in the end, fake fruit doesn’t feed anyone. That’s a good metaphor for the fruit we produce in our lives. 

Real fruit is born from the real root, and Jesus said, “That’s me.” 

WATCH THE THINGS THAT COME TO LIFE 

Spring is a season of rebirth. How like God to make sure Passover, and then Easter, would be celebrated in the spring. Jesus died and rose again so that our souls could live eternally. The disciples thought Jesus had been “cut down,” but he was about to change the world. 

From the root of Christ’s work on earth, look at the branches! That growth is available in each of our lives as well. 

I’m still keeping my eye on a few plants. If they don’t grow, I’ll pull them. But, I have a new favorite plant now. It’s the plant that reminded me of an important spiritual lesson. We can come through hard times, better and stronger, if we just let our perfect vinedresser prune away the stuff in our life that is dead or dying. 

If the roots are good and the plant comes back to life, keep it. If there are things you have done during this past season that have strengthened your soul, keep those things and submit the rest, the lesser things, to the perfect vinedresser. 

SOMETIMES GOD USES SHEARS, OTHER TIMES IT’S THE LOPPER 

One last thought: the longer we let the bad stuff grow, the more difficult it is to cut. 

If God has come to you with his pruning shears in hand, be glad. He is just making sure your life can produce more fruit. But, when he has to reach for the loppers, pay attention. Sometimes we allow things to grow that never should have taken root in our lives. If God had to use the loppers, pay attention. Watch for the signs those things are starting to grow and weed them out early! 

I probably won’t replant the same plants that died this winter. They looked good, but they just weren’t strong enough for the tough times. The same is true in our lives spiritually. If God lopped it out of our lives, he didn’t want it there. On the other hand, nurture all that the Lord is pruning. 

Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:7–8). 

ENJOY THE YARD WORK 

I’m going to spend this month writing about replenishing our souls. After a tough winter, our yards needed a little help and so do our souls. 

I know I have had a good time this year cutting some things back. God is always at work in our lives, using everyday lessons for his greater good.  

He really is the perfect vinedresser.

The day “Hosanna” changed

It’s Easter week. 

Jesus rode victoriously into Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13). 

Days later, Jesus was led out of Jerusalem, in agony, to the sneers and jeers of people who didn’t know they were slandering God’s holy Son. 

How could so much change in just a week’s time?

I saw a recent survey on our local ABC news. It’s expected that only 28 percent of our nation will attend church this Easter Sunday. 

A lot has changed about Easter week in my lifetime as well. 

AT FIRST, DISILLUSIONED 

The people were thrilled to see Jesus arrive in Jerusalem. The crowds incited shouts of joyful praise. They waved palm branches as they hailed their King. But, when he was arrested, they fled, disappointed and disillusioned. They misunderstood God’s plan. 

There are a lot of people in our country who will have a difficult time shouting praises to God this Easter. They have lost someone they loved. They have been hurt financially. They are disappointed in the politics of the day. And, the evening news reminds them that those who attend church on Easter are a minority. 

All of us have been disillusioned with God at some point. We thought he promised one thing, but he gave us something else. We are like the Easter crowds in Jerusalem. Sometimes we misunderstand God’s plan. 

But those who are disillusioned by a tough year should remember that Easter provided God’s eternal plan. We can still misunderstand his higher purpose. 

THEN, DISAPPOINTED 

The people thought Jesus would become a king. He was supposed to run Rome out of Israel and establish Jewish leaders on their throne. When Rome captured Jesus, the disappointment set in.  

It’s remarkable because they had seen his miracles. They had listened to Jesus preach. They had seen that he was no ordinary man. What they didn’t understand was that they wanted the ordinary but got extraordinary instead.  

The people wanted a king for their daily lives. God gave them a King for their eternal lives. 

It’s easy to be disappointed in God when we want him to fix things on earth. God’s plan has never made what is temporary more important than what is eternal. 

NEXT, HOPEFULLY CONFUSED 

When they hung Jesus on the cross, the believers were devasted. When they heard the tomb was empty, they were hopefully confused. 

Jesus had told them what would happen, and it did. He was raised to life again. The final sacrifice had been made for the sake of every soul that had ever lived or ever would live. They had shouted “Hosanna” and now they were blessed by the One who had come in the name of the Lord. The One who had blessed them was a King. But, Jesus was a King like no other. 

Jesus didn’t die so that people could have mansions on earth. He died so people could have mansions in heaven. His promises were filled with eternal hope and eternal priorities. 

Yet, many people have been hopefully confused about how it can all be true. Many of the people around you hope the Easter story is true but are confused about why it is true. They lack the faith to believe.  

It’s remarkable because there are still miracles. We have a Bible filled with the preaching of Jesus. We know he was no ordinary man. Is it possible people still want Jesus to be a king on earth? His throne has always been, and always will be, in heaven. 

Jesus didn’t come to make earth his home; he came to make heaven our hope. 

FINALLY, THE ANSWER BECAME CLEAR 

The tomb was empty because Jesus didn’t plan to make this earth his home. Jesus made his followers his temporary dwelling on earth. 

The disciples had gathered on the Mount of Ascension. They asked Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).  

Even after the resurrection, the people still wanted Jesus to come back and be an earthly king.  

Jesus answered them with a clear message. He didn’t give his life for the sake of life on earth. Jesus answered his disciples with their new priority. Jesus said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:7–8). 

Jesus spoke to anyone who would be a disciple and told them he would transform their lives to be a witness to the world. The answer became clear. Jesus told his followers that their priorities and abilities would be changed by the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

And, for those who were filled by God’s Holy Spirit, that transformation occurred. The disciples had new goals, new priorities, and a new power indwelling their lives.  

HOSANNA WAS REDEFINED 

Scripture says that, after Jesus had issued their calling, “he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Jesus, on the Mount of Ascension, redefined “Hosanna”: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  

Jesus enters every city on earth today as a King through the life of every person who allows him to be King of their life. Hosanna. Blessed are the people who live life on earth, in the name of the Lord—because they will allow Jesus to bless others through their witness.  

We stand on the Mount of Ascension with every disciple, from every century. We, like them, still wish Jesus to occasionally be an earthly king and fix things in this world. But, his final answer to his disciples will always be our calling. 

Jesus told us to be witnesses through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Every other priority is something less important.   

Only 28 percent of our population plan to attend church on Easter Sunday. How will you shout “Hosanna” to the world this week? 

We are called to be a witness to the true priorities of Easter week. Blessed are those who share in the name of the Lord.  I hope you and your families have a blessed and holy week!

It’s time to trust God more than before

I know some people have an easier time trusting than others. I tend to be a skeptic, and it takes me a while to trust a person completely. I like almost everyone, but trust is something I tend to give carefully. 

As I watch the evening news and read articles on trends, choices, and all things “popular,” I have needed to double down on my choice to trust God for the future. 

I really don’t trust those who are in control right now so I have to remind myself of what I know is true. 

Ultimately, God controls all the final outcomes.

A WORD FOR THE FRONTLINE FAITHFUL 

The well-known “armor of God” passage is from the sixth chapter of Ephesians. Paul taught God’s people that living a faithful life would require them to be tough, wearing God’s armor for the battle. Paul’s churches were established during a period of history that was openly hostile toward the gospel. The Jewish people thought of Christianity as blasphemy. The Roman government thought of the church as another danger to their culture. 

Sound familiar? 

I’m in my early sixties, and I don’t remember a time in my life when God’s armor was more important. It is increasingly difficult to openly believe the Bible in our current culture and express Christian beliefs about values, marriage, the sanctity of life, and many other important standards. 

Those of us in ministry are stepping into deeper waters right now. It didn’t use to be difficult to live as a Christian and be popular, or at least feel respected. It helps to remember that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). 

I consider most of my readers to be “frontline Christians.” You are interested in God’s word, applied to our culture today—or you would read something else. I’m not called to teach “Christian-lite” or soften God’s truth. 

I am called to stay behind God’s Spirit and never forget that it isn’t people I need to fight; it is the same “spiritual forces of evil” that Paul had to fight too. So, to all those on the frontlines of faith, I encourage you to work hard at discerning our real enemy. If we recognize the battle is spiritual, we will fight with the spiritual weapons Paul called our armor (Ephesians 6:10–20). 

WHY IS IT EASIER TO TRUST THE CHARIOTS AND HORSES? 

King David had a lot in common with the Apostle Paul. David lived during a volatile time for God’s people as well. He wrote Psalm 20 as a message from God, to be sung before a battle. The King wanted God’s people to remember that their victory depended on God’s blessings, not on their strength. 

I wish God’s people would sing Psalm 20 for our battles today. I wish we would trust our battles to God as we move forward to fight. It doesn’t matter if we think we are winning. It matters that God is able to win through our efforts. Psalm 20 is a good reminder of that. 

My favorite verse in the Psalm says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). I’ve thought a lot about that verse in recent days. 

A good friend made the point that America was going to have four years of Republican, then four years of Democrat. The wisdom at the end of those eight years should be that Christians have no business trusting either political party to make things right spiritually

We have had a chariot and a horse. (I’ll allow your politics to decide who is which.) As God’s children, we aren’t allowed to trust in either. But it sure is easier to focus on the powers we can see rather than what is unseen. 

We can never forget who is named in Scripture as the ruler of this world. Satan is celebrating some cultural victories these days. That should have always been expected. Our goal is to make certain he has no victories in our personal lives. In my opinion, Satan is having a heyday in the lives of God’s people right now. 

My words and attitudes haven’t always honored God. I’ve allowed fear and anger to control my choices and opinions at times instead of God’s word. I’ve momentarily trusted in a few chariots and horses for my future happiness. Meanwhile . . . I knew what God wanted. 

MAY THE HEARERS BECOME DOERS 

I wonder what King David would write to us as preparation for the days ahead? 

I wonder what advice the Apostle Paul would teach the church today? 

I wonder what wisdom Jesus would give today’s disciples for future needs? 

I wonder, but I don’t. 

We already have everything we need to know in the perfection of God’s holy Bible. The problem isn’t knowing God’s wisdom; it’s doing it. 

I love the book of James and have taught it many times. James, like Jude, was a half-brother of Jesus. James told his church and all of us today, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:19–22). 

If the only spiritual lesson you consume, trust, and live by is the truth James wrote above, you would live a strong, valuable, effective witness for God in this world. We should read and memorize those words before we open our mouths, make decisions, and step out of our doors. 

Living by those words would change everything. 

THE DISCIPLES THOUGHT THEY HAD LOST 

When Jesus was arrested, tried, and hung on the cross, the disciples were terrified of the days ahead. I’m sure many, if not most, thought they had aligned their lives with Someone who had let them down. They just didn’t know what God was about to do. 

Neither do we. 

We aren’t to trust what we can see. We are to trust the One we know, just not yet face-to-face. We don’t know what chariots and horses will look like in the days ahead. But we do know this: The final Easter is coming. We don’t know how many Easters will pass before that one, but what if April 4, 2021, is the last one? 

I don’t think we have lost. I know we have won. I just know there are still battles ahead. And, I know there are joys, victories, hardships, and everything else that life this side of heaven brings. 

But, my last Easter here will mean the next resurrection day is the only one left. Jesus rose again, and so will everyone who has trusted in his name. So, let’s trust God with more of our lives than ever before. 

Most of the world trusts the chariots and horses. Let’s face it: we would like to trust some of them too. But, King David would remind us that God’s people are to trust in the name of the Lord our God. 

Paul wrote in Romans 10, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (v. 13). 

Does anything else seem more important to you today? 

If so, pray . . . until it isn’t.

I might have been a Pharisee

Except for the fact I’m a woman, I might have been a Pharisee. 

I’m a big fan of rules, but one of theirs was “no women allowed.” 

Other than that, there is a lot about their lives I might have appreciated. But Jesus didn’t appreciate much about them at all, and that gives me food for thought this week.

This article comes out on St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick wouldn’t have been a great Pharisee, but he was a good friend and disciple of Jesus. 

WHO WERE THE PHARISEES? 

I read an interesting article on the Pharisees. They are mentioned ninety-eight times in the New Testament. The name Pharisee probably is related to the idea of being separate or detached, similar to the meaning of the word holy

The article described the religious leaders by saying, “In many ways, the Pharisees were the worst people in the world. They were cold and legalistic. At the same time, the Pharisees were the best people in the whole country. They were the holy men who kept the law; they pursued purity with a passion and wanted nothing more than to live lives that pleased God. They were sincere, albeit sincerely misguided.” 

So, where did the Pharisees go wrong? 

They wanted to please God but did the opposite. They took their eyes and thoughts away from God by idolizing rules as their god. It was the most prevalent sin throughout Scripture and remains a significant temptation for God’s people today. 

You have to admit, it is confusing. God told Moses to, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). The entire book of Leviticus is full of rules for God’s people. The Pharisees took God’s rules and turned them into thousands more. 

God gave us a framework of laws and standards in Scripture so we would know right from wrong. God’s people have always wanted to know what rules to follow because we want to make sure we are following God. The problem: it’s tempting to start following rules instead of God. 

God told Hosea, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). At some point, the people began to think God wanted the lamb or the wheat instead of their repentant heart and their love. 

That’s one reason Jesus was angry at the Pharisees. He told them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others (Matthew 23:23). 

ST. PATRICK GOT IT RIGHT 

An interesting article on St. Patrick said that, as a boy, Patrick was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. He was forced to work in the fields under terrible conditions. 

One night, in a dream, God led Patrick to escape to the coast, where he was rescued by some sailors and returned to his home. Years later, after becoming a Catholic priest, God called Patrick back to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick is credited with bringing the gospel to that country. He converted thousands of souls and started hundreds of churches throughout the country. Tradition says that he used the Irish clover to teach people about the Trinity. 

In his book The Confession, St. Patrick wrote: “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.” 

Patrick learned to love God, and that priority enabled him to love even those who had once enslaved him. 

IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE GOD . . . 

Do we serve God hoping to appease him or because we love him? 

We can try to please God like the Pharisees, or follow the example of St. Patrick. 

Why did the Pharisees fail to please God while Patrick was named a Saint? 

The Pharisees served the letter of the Law and St. Patrick served the Lord of the Law. Pharisees felt like they grew spiritually as they learned to understand and obey more laws. St. Patrick wrote, “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith.” 

If we want to please God, we need to examine our motives. 

When last did you obey a law simply because you loved and trusted the Lord of the law? 

TRUE LOVE IS NEVER AN ACT 

Jesus called the Pharisees “hypocrites,” the literal word for an actor. Jesus told them they only acted like they loved God. Jesus knew their hearts and said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). 

I confess there have been many times I have worried more about the outside of the cup too. There were many Sunday mornings I got ready for church and spent more time thinking about what I would wear, who I would see, and what I would teach rather than Whom I was to worship. 

I might have been a Pharisee in the past, but I don’t want to be one now. 

There is a reason Easter is my favorite holiday and my least favorite day at church. The church was filled with new clothes, fresh flowers, a live orchestra, and a lot of people who only came that day because it was a holiday. 

In a way, I think I felt about Easter Sunday like Jesus felt about the Pharisees. It was more an act than an act of love. 

THIS EASTER, IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE GOD . . . 

Last Easter, we were stuck at home, with churches shut down. A lot of people felt like we missed Easter. But, I think God enjoyed much of last year’s Easter worship. There was no reason for people to act like they had Easter joy. Those who worshipped did so because they truly loved the God they sang to, prayed to, and were grateful for. 

It is the Lenten season, the days to prepare spiritually for Easter worship. It isn’t our “works” that please God; it’s our love and devotion. When last did you kneel at the cross and gratefully grieve the sacrifice Jesus made for our redemption? 

We can spend Easter acting like we love God or actually loving God for all he has done. The difference between a Pharisee and St. Patrick is that one knew how to please God, the other loved to please him. 

I might have made a good Pharisee, except for Easter. It is easier to serve God’s rules, but Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Let’s remember the example of St. Patrick and make this a great day.

It’s time to get out of the boat

Don’t you feel like you are almost to the end of a very long tunnel? 

It’s been a tough journey, but we expect it will be lighter, warmer, and easier very soon. 

Texas had a week of Snowmageddon and the next week it was spring. Now, there are early flowers blooming and patches of green. 

It feels like the year of the virus is mostly in the rearview mirror. There are still reasons to be careful, but it just seems like it is time to move forward with joy. 

There are a lot of people discussing their need to shape up for this new season. There are articles about diet, exercise, meditation, and makeovers. QVC had their spring fashion day and, I have to confess, I have a few packages scheduled to arrive. The comfy clothes from this past year need to be packed up and donated. In fact, a few things just need to be tossed! 

That’s true of our closets and our lives. 

UPPING OUR GAME 

I think it has been interesting to hear people talk about what the year of COVID has done to their relationship with God. It is almost always one of two conversations. 

Some talk about the fact they haven’t been in church and have drifted from God. Many just haven’t been as dedicated to read and study their Bibles as they were before. 

Another group talks about this past year providing extra time to read, pray, and think about God. The year of difficulty has stretched them spiritually and they have grown stronger as a result. 

No matter where we are in our spiritual journey today, we haven’t yet arrived. 

If the year of COVID made your faith stronger, is it because you chose to do something new in your spiritual life? 

What did you learn that you want to continue to learn? 

LITTLE FAITH CAN GROW 

Everyone knows the story from Matthew as Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. 

Peter has been the illustration for many sermons because he took his eyes off of Jesus and sank. But we can look at it another way too: Peter was the only one in the boat who walked on the water. 

He could have kept walking if his focus had remained steadfast on Jesus, but, let’s give the apostle some credit. He is the only one who asked for the opportunity to get out of the boat! 

Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter when he started to sink, saying, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). I wonder if Jesus felt proud of Peter for taking those first steps. 

We usually look at those moments in Scripture as Peter not having enough faith. But, maybe we should think about the fact that he had faith, albeit small. And look what Peter’s faith grew to become later in his life. Peter exercised his faith by doing something new: walking on water! 

What new thing might Jesus allow you to do if you simply ask? 

Is there a new commitment your church needs you to make as things reopen and people return to worship? 

Is there a new Bible study you are supposed to attend or maybe teach? 

Has your faith grown to a place that you can step out of the boat and walk where you never imagined walking before? 

Jesus and Peter would cheer you on! 

The boat is safe, but it can also be a missed opportunity. 

LITTLE FAITH OR BIG FAITH, THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM TO GROW 

One of the most difficult things about growing older is I can only do most things I used to do. I can still get out of the boat; it just might take a little longer to do it. But, I never want to stop trying or learning to do something new. 

The older I get and the more I study, the less I know. I recently spent a morning working in my husband’s office. I looked around at his library of eight thousand books. (No, I’m not kidding!) All of those books have something to do with our faith. And those are just a small fraction of the books that exist on the subject. 

I thought about King Solomon’s wisdom when he said, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). I will never learn enough, know enough, or teach enough Bible. 

There is no end to growing in the knowledge of God until we know him face-to-face. 

ONE YEAR LATER 

All of us changed a bit this past year. Let’s make sure we keep changing next year too. It’s time to exit the tunnel and get back to normal. But we should choose to live a little less normally than before. 

Paul prayed for the church in Colossae, asking God that the people would be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9–10). I think Paul would pray that prayer for all of us, especially now. 

There are a lot of things to remember about the past year, and there are some things to just forget. But, in many ways, the past year was like getting out of the boat to walk on water. It was new. It was scary. But, Jesus was there every day. 

There were times of little faith, for sure. 

But this past year we also discovered some new spiritual muscles. 

Let’s keep them strong. 

EASTER REBIRTH 

Peter displayed his little faith again on the night the rooster crowed three times. But, the greatest crisis of his life would later become his great joy. The stone was rolled away, and the same Jesus who reached out to Peter from the boat stood in front of him again. It’s comforting to know that Peter’s little faith eventually grew to an enormous faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. 

Like Peter, we all have moments of little faith. Thankfully, we have a God who is always more focused on where our journey is going than where we have been. 

Is it time to up your game and get out of the boat? 

God has a plan to use our moments of little faith to make us stronger. In fact, he plans for our faith to be completely perfected one day. 

The resurrection still changes everything, and it always will—especially for those who get out of the boat and walk with Jesus.

What do you hope for?

I was able to get my first vaccine, and I drove home with a scheduled date for my second shot—and lots of hope. We have a lot to look forward to in the months ahead—probably. It is a unique joy when an unknowable hope becomes a reality.

I’m thrilled that I will be vaccinated and look forward to better times ahead. However, I am too often concerned about the trajectory of our culture. I can’t tolerate what I see happening on my television that God would never condone. I cringe when I see the abnormal being normalized. 

Sometimes hope is waiting for what we know will happen. At other times, we hope for things because we can’t know what the future holds.

DID JESUS HOPE? 

I just finished a long conversation with my theologian husband. I was writing this blog post on hope when I wondered, “Did Jesus ever hope for anything?” 

That question does not have an easy answer. At the end of a lot of research and a lot of thinking, we could only come up with one moment in Scripture that Jesus might have hoped like we hope.

Jesus was God incarnate. He knew God face-to-face. Jesus knew his purpose and knew God would fulfill that purpose. Jesus didn’t need hope for the future; he knew the future. 

Jesus never worried about an early death. Jesus never worried about losing his job. Jesus didn’t worry that his prayers wouldn’t be answered by God. Jesus didn’t ever worry or wonder about the future, so he didn’t spend time hoping

The only time in Scripture Jesus comes close to hoping and praying like we often do is in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). 

Was Jesus hoping God would do something different? Was Jesus hoping those torches he was watching from the garden would turn and go another direction? Was Jesus hoping God would do for him what he had done for Abraham when he provided a ram on Mount Moriah? Did Jesus hope he wouldn’t have to be the sacrificial lamb? 

When we considered the entirety of Scripture, as best we can tell, that moment was the only time Jesus hoped for something else, something different. 

But, even in that hope, what Jesus most wanted was that God’s will would be accomplished.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAITH AND HOPE 

I hung a poster in my room when I was a teenager that read, “‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen’ —Hebrews 11:1.” I remember I liked those words but always knew I didn’t really understand their meaning. I’m not completely sure I do today, but I will try. 

I guess you could say I have faith that I will get my second vaccine shot. The evidence is there. But, I hope the vaccine will mean I won’t ever get sick with COVID-19. We don’t have enough evidence yet for us to have complete faith in the shot. 

My faith in Christ’s resurrection is the reason I have the assurance of eternal life. Grace and forgiveness are gifts, guaranteed by Christ, because my faith is in him. I trust God’s word on the subject of salvation. But, I hope God gives me a long life and ministry here on earth. I have faith that God will grant me eternal life. I have hope that God will grant me a long life. 

WHEN WE HAVE TO SAY “IF” 

Jesus prayed in agony to his Father, saying, “If you are willing, remove this cup from me.” Jesus knew what was going to happen. Did he hope God would spare him the agony of physical pain and spiritual separation from God?

When we say to God “if you are willing,” it is a hope, not a promise. Paul understood the difference between hope and faith and explained it by saying, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24–25).

Jesus hoped God would be “willing” but had faith in the perfection of God’s will. That is our example for hope in prayer and faith in God’s answers. 

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR? 

I hope COVID-19 will soon be eradicated. I hope my family will live long, productive lives. I hope that the power grid won’t ever fail again and leave us in the cold. I hope that God gives us cures for cancers and other diseases. I hope that the world will be a kinder, more thoughtful place. 

I hope the people I love will all choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and I hope that for others as well. And, I hope Jesus returns soon so that I can stop hoping for other things. 

But, my faith in God tells me that none of those hopes are promises. I know there is a difference between the things I hope for and the things I hope for in faith. I hope Jesus will come again soon. I have faith that Jesus will come again. 

FAITH—UNTIL HOPE ISN’T NEEDED 

I don’t know what you are hoping for today. I imagine there are some reading these words who hope the chemo will work or the surgery will be a success. I imagine there are some who have lost hope in God’s promises and others who are comforted by those same words.

Don’t ever allow anyone to tell you that the Christian life is easy. Christ didn’t come to make this life easy; he came to make eternal life possible. He came so that our faith could be more than hope. He came so our faith could become sight. Christians will spend eternity in heaven with hope fulfilled. 

Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

Never feel bad for hoping and praying that things will be easier. Jesus did that too. But, the next time “easy” isn’t God’s will, walk with faith in Jesus. He remembers his prayer in the garden and understands. 

Some hopes are unknowable. Faith knows what hope cannot.

Warmer times

In many ways, Texas recently became a parable for our culture. 

During our long freeze, the weatherman promised the sun would return in a week, but the news anchor couldn’t predict when the power would be restored. Most of us were much more interested in the electricity than the weatherman’s promise for the coming week. 

And that is a parable for those of us who want to share our faith. 

Our best answer, the one we could count on, was a week away. Even still, we were less interested in the long-term answer because that power didn’t make promises for the moment, just the future. And, we need to hear many of God’s promises with that same perspective. 

It was a tough week, and now things are better. The weatherman was right, and we are glad. I’ve spent the month writing about God’s voice and our need to listen. 

What are the lessons from last week’s parable? 

GOD OFFERS PERSPECTIVE 

All of us go to God for today’s needs. Jesus taught us to pray for “our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). But Jesus also taught, “ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  

Jesus promised us his peace, but he also promised we would need it. This world is going to freeze again. Spring is coming, but so is another February. 

It is so important to seek God’s voice for our lives, not just our days. His answers sometimes take years to receive or realize. Listening for God’s wisdom requires God’s perspective. Scripture, prayer, and God’s Holy Spirit can provide strength for the moments of our lives, but often his most important instruction is for eternal—not present—circumstances. 

GOD WILL ALWAYS CONSIDER EVERYONE 

The people in charge of the Texas power grid cut power to millions for a time so that everyone would have power in the future. Texas reserved power for those who needed it most. And those of us who did without were reminded of all we tend to take for granted. 

But even when it got down to forty-something degrees in my kitchen, I was glad that my kids, and their kids, were warm. I was glad the hospitals had power. I was glad the cold was only for a week. And I was especially glad that the people who knew a lot more than me were responsible for making the tough choices. 

I imagine it was a tremendously difficult decision for those who cut the power to people’s homes, knowing it was freezing outside. But, they did what was best, not what was easy.  

God has a unique love for each of us. He has a plan for every life. And only God has the ability to take care of everyone forever. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  

Ash Wednesday got lost in the snow. But Cynthia Izaguirre, a Dallas newscaster, did her best to remind people things would get better and why. She closed the broadcast on Ash Wednesday, not with words of hope about electricity, but with words of eternal hope

GOD’S WARMTH 

I felt much warmer and much safer when our power was restored. I still wake up and smile because I know my coffee pot is out there and ready to go! I took a lot of things for granted, and I know I will likely take them for granted again. 

But today, I am grateful. 

The people in charge of the grid should have been better prepared. Hopefully, by the time February rolls around again, they will be. A lot of us in Texas had a bad week. Others will have a bad year trying to repair the damage. Still others lost their lives. The Texas power grid couldn’t thaw the snow or protect us, but the sun did. And that might be the biggest lesson from last week’s story. 

The warmth God brought through the sun is what caused the snow to melt. Electricity kept us safe in our homes, but God’s provision is what enabled us to get back to normal. Last week was rough; this week is wonderful. And so goes life on this side of heaven. 

The power grid restored my heat, but it was God who brought warmth. The weatherman knew what he could promise last week and he did. The news anchor couldn’t promise electricity, but she could promise hope.  

LESSONS FROM THE GREAT THAW 

I can promise God is speaking, guiding, and directing the path of those who trust in him. I am like the weatherman who can make promises that depend on the truth of God’s creation and character, found in the truth of God’s word. It would have been wrong for those in the news to promise our heat would return quickly. That depended on people being able to fix the problems.  

What can we learn about God through what we have experienced?  

We should never underestimate the power of warmth. For many years, we have been making strong arguments by using strong language to share God’s truth. We have been trying to present a powerful, united front to the world and hope our politics would legislate morality. We have been trying to build bigger and better churches, thinking that such an effort would attract people to God.  

But, the end result is a power grid that failed. Our ideas and best-laid plans might provide a momentary fix, but it isn’t God’s solution. Our culture needs warmth because our culture needs disciples. People aren’t left in the cold when they are led to the Son.  

We are like the weatherman. We can’t create God’s answers; we only report his hope. We have to be careful not to promise for this life what God has not promised.  

JESUS PROMISED 

Jesus promised tribulation. Jesus promised his peace. Jesus promised we could live with hope. Jesus promised our hope would one day be our reward.  

Until then, we are to accept the storms, endure the cold, and wait for the warmth. It always returns. Mostly, we are to use our lives to lead as many people to the Son as we possibly can.  

One last “report” from a “weatherman”: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). 

Don’t just read that verse today; hear Jesus speak his promise to you. 

God speaks to servants who listen. 

Allow God’s truth to warm your soul until your hope becomes his reward. 

God spoke and everything changed

I peeked out the window and everything was pure white. Snow in Dallas is uncommon. This much snow in Dallas is . . . wait for it . . . unprecedented

(For those who read my blog each week, that was intended to be a joke!) 

Yep, there is that word again.

I am still a California girl at heart. I like it to snow, and then I like the snow to melt off that same afternoon. This long, cold stretch of snow isn’t just unprecedented; it’s unwelcome. 

My friend in Houston had a Facebook post about choosing not to “coddle” his outdoor plants by spreading blankets on them. Another friend, who lives in Casper, Wyoming, is probably reading those words, rolling her eyes and laughing. Today’s Dallas weather is her definition of a spring day. 

The good news is that a week from now we should see much warmer weather. After all, this is still Texas, and the cold will disappear. Our weather is unpredictable—and a great analogy for God’s voice in our lives: there are moments we expect to hear from him and other times his voice is a surprise. 

Either way, when God chooses to speak, we should be quick to listen. 

“AND GOD SAID”  

“And God said let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Those are familiar words, but they are also incredibly profound. God spoke this world into existence. He said “let there be” light, darkness, oceans, plants, animals, and people. God spoke and everything changed, except him.  

God spoke the world into existence and has continued to speak into his creation. Take a moment to consider the fact that the same voice that created our entire world is the same voice that speaks to your soul. 

When we consider the full power of his voice, what keeps us from hanging on his every word? 

WHAT HAS GOD SPOKEN TO YOU RECENTLY? 

Do you know what God recently said to you? 

I can ask that question of every Christian because God is in constant communication through his Holy Spirit. Is that why you are reading these words right now? You are God’s child. Never doubt his desire to guide you in his good ways. 

Frederick William Faber, a British theologian and hymn writer, said, “There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us well-nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear because of the noise, hurry and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.” 

God has spoken his word and his will to you. Has the noise and distraction of this culture or even this crazy weather caused you to doubt or ignore his voice? 

The same voice that created the world speaks to you “well-nigh incessantly.” 

We have to learn to listen devotedly. 

JESUS SPOKE WITH GOD’S VOICE 

Paul was talking about Jesus when he wrote, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15–17). 

The voice of Jesus is the same voice that created all things. When we hear Jesus speak in Scripture, in our hearts and souls, and through our dreams and prayers, we are hearing the same voice that will one day call us home to heaven.  

If we learn to listen to the voice of Jesus in our lives today, his voice will be easy to recognize on the day Jesus returns. His should be the voice of a good friend, our counselor, our guide, and, most importantly, it is the voice of someone we love. 

WHAT CHANGES WILL GOD SPEAK INTO YOUR LIFE? 

I’m wrapped in warm clothes and fur-lined boots, and I’m watching it snow. It is unprecedented cold today, but it won’t be long before this outfit gets packed up and put away. This is Dallas, Texas. The sun will soon melt the snow, the snow will water the earth, and the bluebonnets will blanket the roadways. 

God didn’t have to create seasons, but he did. Do you ever wonder why? 

I think our changing world has always existed to remind us of our unchanging God. The apostle Peter was quoting from Isaiah when he wrote, “‘The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24–25). 

Throughout our lives, God will speak changes he wants us to make. He will guide us to see things in a new way or follow a new path. If we know God’s word, we should expect change. But, we can also expect his unchanging voice to guide us as we listen.  

The world has seen a lot of change since God spoke it into existence. It’s comforting to realize that God is still the same. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). 

GOD SPEAKS UNCHANGING TRUTH TO OUR CHANGING LIVES 

Frederick Faber said that God spoke “well-nigh incessantly” and that we could hear that voice if we don’t allow the noise and distraction of this life to drown out God’s word to us. So why is it that so many people in our world today don’t even consider the voice of the One who spoke all things into existence? 

Frederick Faber had that answer as well. He wrote, “There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God.” It will be difficult to hear God’s voice unless we are ready to follow his will. It will be difficult to hear God speak through his word unless we are convinced that his word is truth. And it will be difficult for God to interrupt our plans if he is not Lord of our choices. 

God’s will is not hidden, but it is often ignored. 

God’s will is spoken, but it is often heard as a suggestion rather than a command. 

Remember, God speaks. 

But God speaks to servants who listen. 

WHEN GOD SPEAKS, EVERYTHING CHANGES 

We have been plagued with power outages and freezing temperatures. Those plagues follow the changes that occurred because of a virus. I am so ready for spring! 

Everything changes, and it always will, but not God. The voice that created the world continues to speak. His voice is knowable and his truth is unchanging. His voice offers consistent truth, offered in different ways, at different times, to different generations—until one day, this world changes one last time. 

One snowstorm will be our last. 

One day his voice will call us home. 

That day will be unprecedented for us but completely consistent with the truth of God’s word. 

From now until then, the goal of every day is to listen for him to speak, ready to walk with his direction. 

When God speaks, everything changes—except him.  

Look backward to move ahead

I worked at a toy store during my first years of college. 

One day, I watched a little boy stray from his dad. Dad was feeding baby sister, and big brother was asked to wait on the bench with him. He promised his son they would go into the toy store as soon as sister was done eating. 

Suffice it to say that waiting was just too tough for the four-year-old. 

Eventually, he found his way to the Matchbox cars, just inside the door of the toy store. (Yes, we put them there to be a temptation.) The boy would glance back at his dad, then inch closer to the display. Once he got to the rack of cars, Dad was quickly forgotten. 

I watched to see what the man would do. He picked up baby sister and moved to the side of the store where he could see his son, but his son didn’t see him. 

A few minutes later, the boy glanced up to find he was alone. He stepped out of the store, looked around, and was scared. The little boy was about to burst into tears when Dad stepped around the corner. The boy rushed to his side. 

The dad hugged his son, then promptly told him he wouldn’t be getting a new Matchbox car that day. 

The little boy knew why. 

Smart dad. 

In just a few moments, he’d taught his son a lesson about patience, self-control, temptation, and what it means to feel lost. He’d also taught him that his choices have consequences. 

I thought, “I need to remember this for the time I have kids someday.” 

Truthfully, I still need that lesson each day. 

WE GET LOST

I love hiking—as long as there is a well-marked path. I want to know there is a beginning to the journey and, if I stay on the path, I will be able to get home. 

I wish I were as careful with my spiritual journey as I am with my hikes. 

I’ve taught the Bible for more than thirty years. I know the path is well-marked, but for some reason I don’t mind wandering occasionally. 

Thankfully, one of the things I have learned is that when I realize I’m lost, I need to start looking for Dad. 

He is ready to be found. 

GOD’S ADVICE FOR THE JOURNEY 

I found a verse in Scripture when I was a young Christian. It has literally come to my mind hundreds of times during my adult years. I have used it for making important decisions and for parenting. Now the words provide perspective for our changing culture. I want to remind all of us of that verse again today. 

The verse is Jeremiah 6:16, and it is some of the best advice Scripture has ever provided my spiritual journey.

JEREMIAH 6:16 

Jeremiah is one of my favorite prophets. That seems a funny thing to say given that Jeremiah is often called “the prophet of doom.” I like Jeremiah because he was blunt and honest with his preaching. He knew God, and he knew God’s word. But, more than that, he was a man who was able to discern God’s voice. 

I always teach my classes that when you read words like “Thus says the LORD” pay careful attention. The words that follow are God speaking. If you want to learn to discern God’s voice, learn to hear these verses as you read. 

Jeremiah told the people of Judah, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jeremiah 6:16). 

JEREMIAH 6:16 FOR TODAY 

If Jeremiah preached today, I think he would repeat this same message. 

Jeremiah knew what God could bless and what God would judge. Jeremiah knew God has always wanted his people to know his will, his direction, and his warnings. 

What did God speak to the lost culture of Jeremiah’s day? 

“Stand by the roads, and look, ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is.” 

God wants his people to stop and assess their journey. God wants us to ask where the good way is. It is an ancient path. The good way is the truth that has always been truth. 

God’s word hasn’t changed. The interpretation of God’s word, the importance of God’s word, and the perception of God’s word are what is changing. 

His word is an ancient path, and it is a path that has been well-marked. A lot of people have walked it for a long time. If we walk it, we find our way home. The ancient way is the good way. There is only one path, because one is enough. 

God said to ask where the good way is and walk in it. God wanted us to find rest for our souls. The only time I’ve ever been afraid on a hike is when I couldn’t find the path and felt lost. 

All of us have been that little boy, looking around a crowded mall, unable to find our dad. Thankfully, Dad is always watching and quick to find us. But, those are the times I missed the blessings I could have owned. There are consequences to making wrong choices. 

God doesn’t want us to worry. God doesn’t want us to live with the anxiety that comes from feeling lost. He wants us to rest in the fact that the ancient path has always led people home. That path always will. 

I teach this often: If it was biblical truth one hundred years ago, two hundred years ago, two thousand years ago—it is still truth today. 

God’s word describes some behaviors and prescribes others. It’s important to study the totality of God’s word to understand that difference. 

There was a time when a lot of people thought God’s word endorsed slavery. God’s word described slavery as a reality of our fallen world. Some people say that God’s plan for a sexual relationship has changed. From Genesis to Revelation, across thousands of years and many cultures, God only endorsed one sexual relationship. A lot of churches have left the ancient path of truth to adapt to the opinions of the culture. Those of us who teach the Bible know that there will be consequences. God has always judged those who “misrepresented” him to the world. 

THE LAST FEW WORDS ARE THE POINT 

Most of the time, when Jeremiah 6:16 is quoted, the last few words are omitted. But, the last few words make the point. 

Jeremiah told his people that God wanted them to ask for the ancient path, the good way. God wanted them to walk that path and find rest for their souls. But, Jeremiah’s people said what a lot of God’s people are saying today: “We will not walk in it.” 

The little boy didn’t get the car because he wandered off. His dad wanted to bless him, but teaching him was more important. His dad wanted to keep him safe, so he allowed him to experience what lost felt like. 

In many ways, that describes our culture today, but it doesn’t have to describe you. 

Ask for the ancient path, the good way. 

Walk in the truth that has always been truth and you will find rest for your soul. 

The next time you feel lost, look backward and you will know how to move ahead. 

Dignity. There’s no getting around it.

When I hear the word dignity, I picture a top hat or pearls, worn by someone who speaks with an English accent drinking tea from a bone china cup, pinkie extended. 

I never thought dignity was a crucial goal because it felt like I would need to pretend to be someone else to achieve it. 

The word dignity has recurred in my mind and life a dozen different times recently so I finally asked God if he was trying to tell me something. 

Let’s just say that the answer was “Yes, absolutely.” 

I googled “What does the Bible say about dignity?”. After reading the Bible verses that came up, I knew I had to write on the subject. We don’t have to look past our television sets to recognize we need more dignity in our culture. 

But the point of this blog post is to help us define the word as God has defined it. 

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN DIGNITY? 

Merriam-Webster’s defines dignity as “the state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.” 

That seemed perfectly Christian—until I looked at the passages I had googled. 

Jesus defined Christian dignity saying, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35). 

The apostle John wrote, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). 

Christian dignity is not just about how we behave with others. It is mostly how we behave for the sake of others. 

UNPRECEDENTED DIGNITY 

I wonder how many times we have heard the phrase “unprecedented days” in this past year. As I look back on my fairly long life, I think only 9/11 and this season of COVID seem to fit the word unprecedented. Truthfully, I had grown tired of hearing the overused phrase until I used it with dignity in mind. 

If you are like me, getting the COVID vaccine is a very high priority. The second dose represents renewed freedom to live like we want to live. But, I had to have a lecture with myself (authored by God) before I wrote this blog. 

We are in “unprecedented” days for our spiritual lives too. We need to live these moments with Christian dignity. How difficult will it be to make that choice? 

Christian dignity involves how we behave for the sake of others. We need to live with unprecedented Christian dignity during these days, and I really don’t want to be dignified. 

I genuinely like the world’s standards a little better than God’s right now.

CHOOSING CHRISTIAN DIGNITY 

I saw a woman interviewed who had just received the vaccine from one of the large auditorium locations. When a reporter asked why she was able to get the shot, she was nervous about answering. She was obviously not elderly. She looked to be in great shape. She was shifting from one foot to the other and said defensively, “I have underlying conditions.” 

Maybe she did, but maybe she lied and took a vaccine that should have gone to someone else. In that moment, I realized that I kind of wanted to lie if it meant I could get a vaccine sooner. 

Not a very dignified thought for a Christian blog writer! 

Titus wrote, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity” (Titus 2:7). We all need to wait for our vaccine, honestly. We need to wait with dignity. We need to put others first. 

I can confess: I don’t want to wait any longer. I want to try to get ahead, pull some strings, get it sooner. But, how would I feel about myself a year from now if I did? 

The choice to live with dignity isn’t about the next few months. This choice is about how we will live the rest of our lives. Will we earn God’s favor or do ourselves a favor? Waiting seems a lot easier with that perspective. God has called us to make the dignified choice. 

I’d rather give up a few months of freedom than live the rest of my life knowing I made a selfish choice. 

DETERMINED DIGNITY 

I wanted to write this blog post because I probably needed the accountability. 

We know people. We could possibly work it and end up with a shot. I feel embarrassed to admit that. Or, maybe I should say, I feel completely undignified to admit that. 

We are all walking a road that has become an uphill, dusty climb. Keep going! It can’t be good to choose the wrong road just to make life easier. 

Paul wrote to Christians who were living in days much more challenging than our own. He understood things were hard for the people who had chosen Christ as their Savior. They probably weren’t feeling rewarded or lucky in their daily circumstances. 

But, Paul told them (and us) why Christian dignity is always the right choice: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6–8). 

We need to live with determined dignity or we will be tempted to live apart from Christ’s example. Christ gave everything, and not just for those who would appreciate or accept his sacrifice. Christ lived with dignity, then gave his life away for everyone, even the ungodly. 

PRE-LIVE EASTER SUNDAY 

I want to sit in a crowded church and sing Easter praise to Jesus for his great sacrifice. 

I want to shop for spring colors in a crowded mall. 

I want everything to be normal and joyful again by Easter. 

But it might not be the Easter I imagine and hope for. I might still be waiting for my vaccine. 

As I close this blog post, there is an Easter celebration I feel called to choose now. Jesus was determined to carry a cross for my sake. I can be determined to walk in his example and wait for a vaccine, with dignity.  If Christian dignity is what Jesus wants for our lives, there is no getting around that calling.  His favor is our reward.

Please, Jesus, help us to be determined to live with dignity. We owe it to ourselves and to others. Mostly, Lord, we owe you that choice. For your highest glory . . . Amen.