A Shelter in the Time of Storm

If you missed the news, you might be surprised to hear that Iowa had hurricane-like winds last week. The storm descended without notice bringing destruction and a wide-spread loss of power. For days, hundreds of thousands of people struggled to complete everyday tasks in addition to regaining structure and routine.

Photo: Iowa Trollnadoes on Twitter

Our acreage sits on top of a hill with a range of buildings and trees. We watched the walnut tree topple, the apple tree split, and pieces of leaves, like confetti, fly vertically, attaching themselves to windows, siding, and doors. It was an awesome show of strength and power.

By God's grace, the tallest, oldest, strongest trees were untouched. Our oaks trees--one shielding the house, one hosting a tree swing--remained unscathed. You may think of the deep, wide root structure as the reason for their preservation and yes, they are well-established. But that is not the answer. Instead, a hundred yards to the west, a treeline of younger, wispier trees stood guard. Violence hit the strategically-planted front guard and spared what lay on the other side.

In the same way, God calls us to watch over, or guard, our heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). If I do not value my heart, if I do not see it as vulnerable and weak, I will not guard it. Our oak trees and 1911-vintage home have a degree of strength--but they are not able to withstand seasonal storms on their own. Knowing that, we have spent time, money and effort to maintain a physical buffer. Likewise, our hearts, central to life, family, ministry, dreams, plans, and future, require care and protection. 

How do we guard our hearts? In reality, we are incapable of doing it ourselves. Worries, insecurity, obligations and responsibilities weigh us down, creating dangerous openings for doubt, despair, and fear. We fail to guard our hearts because our trust is in our own efforts--or the failed efforts of others and capricious nature of circumstances. God calls us to trust Him. To call out to and depend on Him. He alone can effectively guard our hearts and minds from the storms of life. Are they destructive? Yes. Damaging and difficult? Yes. But only to the extent that God is using them to reveal Himself and our need for Him.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Ministry--How Did I Get Here?!

"That was dumb!"

"I don't know what I'm doing. How did I get here?"

Those were yesterday's questions--not from someone else; from inside my own head. When we come alongside others or serve in ministry, God is good to put us in deep water from time to time. My feelings of inadequacy weren't just the result of comparing myself to those who know more--although that is a reality. They weren't just a close-up of my own personal sins and flaws--although that, too, is a reality. As I viewed circumstances and potential consequences I sensed failure. Criticism. Pain. Complications. Confusion. 

Not only did I feel inadequate, I saw the reality of my limitations and heard that voice, "Who do you think you are? How can you help others when you can't even help yourself?"

That's why we need the gospel. We cannot change--we cannot help ourselves, or others--apart from the transforming Word and work of God through Jesus Christ and His Spirit.

Last week we cleared brush as part of a mission trip. Branch after branch, tree after tree, we cut, carried, and discarded wagon loads of brush. Applying God's Word is like that. (Thanks, Allison, for the illustration.) Our thoughts take the path of least resistance. If you're into the science of the brain, here's some background info. Left to themselves, they carry us down a path of worry, regret, disappointment, failure, bitterness, despair. When we remain unaware of our thoughts, they take us to dark, lonely, despondent places.

There is another option. We can replace weak, lazy, often sinful, thoughts with God's Word, by creating new paths through our brain. We do this by intentionally choosing God's Word over ours. The more frequently and intensely we pursue a thought pattern, the more quickly and easily our thoughts will choose it. The Holy Spirit wants to take us down God-honoring, true paths, but He can't if they don't exist. This is why memorization and meditation of God's Word is so vital to our Christian walk.

Little by little, thought by thought, circumstance by circumstance, we can renew our minds (literally, physically) to think God's thoughts instead of our own (1 Corinthians 2:16). We can see the world through God's eyes instead of our limited, human ones. We can see ourselves and others from a spiritual point of view. 

In Jesus Christ, I am not just myself, I am a new creature. I have access to His Spirit. His Spirit is in me. With me. Abiding. Through the Spirit of Christ, I can read, understand, and apply the Word of God. It becomes my reality and, though I am aware of my sinful limitations and the world around me, I am not bound by them. I can choose to submit to God, put to death the thoughts and works of the flesh, allow Him to work through me, and love others. With the help of the Holy Spirit and reminders of His Word, I can trust God with past, present, and future circumstances, believing He is already using them to do a good work in my life and the lives of others. 

Because of Jesus' Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, my sin is not a detriment, but a tool. God is greater than my failure and limitations. Jesus Christ gave up His right to remain in Heaven for me. He took on a human form and likeness for me. Limitations, pain, loss, hunger, weariness--for me. Physical and spiritual death, torturous death, in exchange for my sin. He knows and understands my weakness. He died to pay my punishment. Because of Jesus, I walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). 

When fear of failure, difficult circumstances, or overwhelming odds come my way, I can continue down a path of fear, false bravado, and resignation...or I can create and choose the path of God's design.

...we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?"

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace...(Hebrews 13:6-9)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body

And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Time of Storm

America, COVID-19 is here. Riots are here. Our weaknesses are exposed, exploited, and change is not only required, but needed. The storm rises and we are, as individuals, communities, as a nation, divided in our fear and responses.

photo by Corabie din carton

The night the disciples crossed Galilee without Jesus, a storm arose. Although the worked together, straining against the wind, they gained nothing. They had no control over the situation. Their efforts, though great, profited little.

Jesus, praying at the end of a long day, having just learned of his cousin John's unjust beheading, saw their distress. Mark 6:48 says that during the fourth watch of the night (6:00 a.m.), "He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them." What next? He went to them, of course. But what we may miss if we're reading too quickly, is that He intended to pass them by. They didn't perceive it was their friend, Jesus, the Son of God who just fed a multitude of people. They thought it was a ghost. They misinterpreted Jesus' person and power.

What if the disciples had not given in to fear? What if they saw Jesus for who He was? "Look! It's Jesus. How's He walking on water we can hardly get our oars in?" "Jesus, you're amazing!" "Jesus, look at you!" "Jesus, could you give us a hand? We're not going to make it on our own."

His very presence, walking on a sea that threatened to undo them, should have been enough. His deity, supernatural power and grace could have been a comfort. The reminder of His provision and loving care for the physical needs of the crowds could have encouraged their souls. Jesus knew--and came near. He didn't leave them in terror. He didn't walk by without stopping. He didn't scold or reprimand them.

But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped...

Jesus loved them in their fear. He cared for and ministered to their physical needs, their emotional, dare we even say "psychological" response to very real danger. When we are confronted by the storms of life, it's easy to forget God's blessings, provision, and character, to be swept up by our circumstances and misinterpret the nearness of God. 

More than wondering about the imminent danger of wind and waves, I ask, "What's keeping me from seeing Jesus?" What fear, what dread, what storm is interfering with my knowledge and memory of His goodness, grace, mercy and kindness? And I remember that He is not only near. He hears me. He knows my heart, my weakness, sin and frailty...and He is here in the boat.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)