For we live by faith, not by sight.  

2 Corinthians 5:7

Not long ago, during a rare occasion when we had the whole family at home (albeit momentarily), we decided to go for a drive together on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were all excited to relish the stunning skyline views of mountains and valleys as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately, on that day, our sightlines were literally three feet in front of our faces—and our car. See, with every switchback, our ascension drove us deeper into a dense fog. The thick whiteness blinded our progression until we were all anxious and afraid to proceed. (Coupled with my age-onset fear of heights, I was beyond terrified!)

We managed to find an overlook pull-off where we could precariously turn around (praying that another car wouldn’t be coming down the mountain as we three-pointed). Of course, we all jumped out of the car to experience the fog firsthand, watching each other disappear as we separated by just a few feet.

Now, as I assess my current life circumstances, I find myself standing in a proverbial fog. When standing still, I can only see my feet—glancing left, right, or ahead, I just hit visual white walls, unsure where to turn. It’s overwhelming, and I’m a bit terrified, to be honest.

But, friends, we have Someone who knows the way. He sees where we’ve been and where we’re heading. Better still, whatever our plans are, we can rely on Him to direct our steps through the uncertainty. When we ask Him for wisdom and guidance for the next step, He’ll provide it. (Now, we can’t expect the full route to be revealed. Rather, it’s like our nav system…one-turn-at-a-time directions.) There may be some anxiousness and fear, but He places the fog around us so that we must learn to lean on Him through the fear.

I’m learning. Slowly. Despite my efforts to see down the long road ahead, I just can’t. But it’s comforting to know that although the Lord may not lift the fog for us, He will take our hand and walk with us.

“Lord, I trust You with my walk through the fog of life. Show me where You want me to step next—and let me be obedient in following Your direction.”

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Times are dark. And, frankly, it seems like people are getting uglier. I’m not talking in terms of aesthetics (although, I for one, have succumbed to 24/7 stretchy pants and mascara-less eyes most days). I mean ugly in terms of attitude and disposition. Now, we all know divisiveness is growing—it’s palpable due to, well, everything that’s going on. But in addition to the side-taking and lack of civil discourse, there seems to be a general malcontent, dare I say, crankiness. 

Just go to the grocery store and you’ll see angry eyes above masked faces. Or while driving, you can experience a bit more aggression on the road. Sometimes, all I have to do is look in the mirror to find it. What about you?

As Christians, though, we are called to live differently—regardless of the circumstances around us. We are to shine our light in the darkness, to add salt in a bland (and tasteless) world. We’re supposed to stand out and not give in to the cultural mood du jour. We are called to be fruity. 

Let me quickly break down Galatians 5:22-23…but I pray that we also dig into the associated verses and discern how we can embody each characteristic as we walk through our days.

1. Love. This kind of love is a choice—agape. It’s not a feeling or passing desire. (1 John 3:16-17; John 15:13; Romans 5:8)
2. Joy. This is happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realties. As believers in Jesus Christ, it’s already ours, in all circumstances. Joy is an undercurrent. (1 Peter 1:8; John 16:20-22; Romans 14:17; Philippians 4:4)
3. Peace. This is an inner-calm because we are saved. Life will throw all kinds of junk at us, but we can be “anxious for nothing” because God is in control. (John 14:27; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:6-9)
4. Patience. This is the ability to endure conflicts and injuries inflicted by others. It’s the acceptance of irritating and painful situations. (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 1:15-16)
5. Kindness. This is a desire to treat others as our Lord treats us—with grace and mercy. It’s a genuine concern for others. (Matthew 11:28-29; Matthew 19:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:24)
6. Goodness. Commanded of us, this is acting with moral and spiritual excellence—walking with the righteousness that has been bestowed on us by Jesus. (Romans 6:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:11)
7. Faithfulness. This is loyalty and trustworthiness—to family, friends, employers. (Lamentations 3:22; Philippians 2:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Revelation 2:10)
8. Gentleness. This is a humble attitude of quiet submission. It’s the lack of desire for retribution when wronged (ouch). It’s surrender to the will of God. (Colossians 3”12; James 1:21; Ephesians 4:2)
9. Self-control. This is restraint. It’s putting a muzzle on our passions and appetites to engage in worldly pursuits that bring holy ramifications. (1 Corinthians 9:25; Proverbs 25:27-28; Titus 2:11-12)

Lord, when I surrendered to You, I received the Holy Spirit to empower me to live differently than the world. Help me to walk a fruit-filled life.

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14

Do we trust God—really trust Him?

We make our plans and plots. We say, “Oh, this is what I’ll be doing for the next year,” or “I’ll do this, and then this…” I

My friends can attest to my proclamations through the years—especially when we plan to move homes…again. I’ll say, “No, really, this one is our forever home!” See, my friends and family have, for the past 27 or so years, had to write my addresses in pencil (even as I argue otherwise). Even before I met my husband at age 27, I moved several times after I finished graduate school—including across the country. Since we were married in 1994, we’ve had 15 addresses, across three states. And with each home, I’ve declared, “This is it! No more moves.” 

The Lord, however, always seems to have other plans for us. There have been times when we could look around and see glimpses of God’s hand in motion, so the “why” of that season is somewhat understood. But other times, when the Lord has directed our path, it’s only well after the fact (or a season of years) that we can look back and understand it was clearly “for such a time as this.” One example is us suddenly leaving a Colorado town and home we loved to move to a more northern, not-so-lovely town we actually always despised when visiting family…in retrospect, it was not so random, as our son had been born in that part of the state, and he was waiting for us to adopt him to be his forever family.

So, amid my plans (or, admittedly, sometimes after my plan-making), I’m always reminded of parallel verses in the Old and New Testament that slap me upside the head with God’s Truth: We can establish our short- and long-term game, but the Lord determines our steps—His will is going to prevail, regardless of what our planner may say. Tomorrow is unknown, let alone next year (Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15).

My point? The Lord will always move us (spiritually and sometimes geographically) for His glory and our good if we are obedient and trust Him. (Romans 8:28). We have to trust that each step—even if it’s nebulous to us—is purposeful in God’s Big Plan. 

So, what’s going on in your life right now? An illness? Forced career change? A completely unanticipated move across the country? Maybe you can look around and currently see the miracles along the way, directing your decisions. Maybe, like in Joshua (chapter 3), all you know is that God is telling you to take a single step of faith before anything else—even the very next step—is revealed. (And, often, that first step is terrifying.) Either way, His purpose and plan for you are, indeed, for such a time as this. 

Friends, trust Him. He knows you and loves you. So, step out in obedience and faith. If not today or tomorrow or this side of heaven, someday we will see and understand this season. And we’ll see the good and the glory in it all.

Lord, I trust You. Show me the next step and help me to be obedient. All I long for is to glorify You in it all.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1

Yes, life is crazy right now for everyone. I mean, all of us will always have a bit of insanity going at any given time—family drama, job stuff, financial challenges, health worries. And, of course, in this moment of history, we have a greater divisiveness in our nation than I’ve known in my five decades of life. Not to mention, being in the midst of a global health situation with a tumult of confusing voices on every side, shouting to prove their “truth” on how to best handle it.

I think we can all agree: Life is hard. 

But, as believers, we can embrace a perspective in all things that is different from the world. We can look for the praise.

Friends, the Lord is with us—He will not leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). When we are obedient to His Word, trust Him, and remain surrendered to the Holy Spirit, God is faithful to reveal His presence and His will (Proverbs 3:5-6). The Bible tells us that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). But just as we need the light at our feet, I believe we need to hold up the lamp all around us as well, looking to the left, right, and up. This is how we illuminate the blessings—and the find the praise. 

Let’s be intentional about holding our life—moment by moment—up to the light. Let’s look around at the little things throughout the day to recognize the Lord’s Hand in them. And in the big things (good, great, bad, or downright ugly), let’s be washed over by God’s grace and mercy in it…because, again, He is in it. 

I can be a bit hard-headed and, as I may have mentioned a time or two, somewhat of a control freak. So, sometimes I actually have to look behind me for the praise. In fact, that’s where my gaze—and praise—has been in recent days: responding to the still small voice saying, “Child, look at what I’ve been accomplishing on your behalf.” As I’ve been focused on doing and box-checking, my precious Lord has been blessing me. There are events, for instance, about which I’ve been frustrated that have resolved…I was relieved, but now—in looking back at the situation—I see that God’s timing is what I needed. Not what I wanted.

So, as I sit here and give God glory because I can see how He’s has been putting my current life-puzzle in place, I am reminded to also look in the present for praise. 

Lord, I do praise You in the big and little blessings. I trust You—help me trust You more. I believe You—help my unbelief. Let me seek You—and find You—in the moments of my day.

“Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven…”

Daniel 2:17-18

The Old Testament Book of Daniel is pretty exciting. Even if you haven’t read it through, you’re probably familiar with at least a couple of its action-packed events. There’s the time Daniel’s buddies were thrown into the fiery furnace after refusing to bow down to an idol, confident that God would rescue them—and even if He didn’t, they still would not worship any other God. (I won’t tell you what happens, but you can read about it in chapter 3.) Then there’s the famous lion’s den saga—another nail-biter found in chapter 6—when a group of the king’s advisors set up Daniel to get rid of the pesky do-gooder. 

But at the beginning of this book, tucked away in chapter 2, there are a couple lines that speak to the importance of reaching out to our friends for prayer support. Here, the king has a disturbing dream that he wants interpreted. He asks all his magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers to help, but he refused to tell them the actual dream itself. They needed to reveal his dream and its meaning. When none of them could, the king decided to kill them all (well, cut into pieces, to be exact). Because Dan and his friends were among the king’s counselors, they were on the literal chopping block as well. 

So once Daniel heard about the king’s decision, he went home and shared the matter with his friends. The Lord had already shown Himself to be merciful and powerful to this group of faithful young men, blessing and protecting them after the Babylonians took them captive. They knew the power of prayer. And although Daniel knew that he could go to the Lord on his own with his request, he chose instead to share the matter with his buddies. 

When we reach out to others with the “matters” of our life and ask them for prayer, there is a multifaceted result as beautiful and precious as a diamond. First, we benefit from a shared burden (Gal 6:2). Of course, the ultimate Load-bearer is Jesus Himself—He tells us to give Him our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). But when we lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ, our weight is shared, and thereby lightened. 

Second, we grow in love for one another. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). He’s encouraging us to look at others through the perspective that God sees us: as sinners in need of grace, mercy, and a Savior. Praying for others helps us move forward in this endeavor.

Finally, we are being obedient to God’s Word. From Job (42:1) to James (5:16) to Paul (1 Tim 2:1, Ephesians 6:18, Col 1:9)) to Jesus Himself (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28, Luke 22:32), we are called to pray and intercede for others. It is a step of obedience that brings us closer to our Lord as we spend time with Him. Plus, when we lift up others in prayer, our fellowship with the Lord becomes a little less about us.

“Lord, thank You for my brothers and sisters who lift me up and share my burdens. Let me be a faithful load-bearer to others as well.”

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

How can we really be sure what’s right and wrong? How can we know God’s will for our lives—the moment-by-moment guidance and the big-picture direction and purpose? How can we be prepared and equipped walk in a way that is pleasing to God? 

God gives us everything we need in the Bible. Scripture has the answers—all Scripture. Not just the pullout quotes that look nice on coffee mugs. Not just the hope-filled promises, but also the upsetting warnings. 

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul succinctly describes how the Word accomplishes our equipping for life’s journey. Many translations of 2 Timothy 3:16 use the word “profitable” for “useful.” I actually like the implications here. Useful is good, certainly. Things that are useful connote practicality and purposefulness. But profitable…this goes a step or two beyond utilitarian to fruitful, advantageous, rewarding, and favorable. Profitable takes us beyond the pragmatism to the worthwhile gain.

So, what’s this secret sauce from Paul when it comes to God’s Word—the “insider information” to boost the bottom line of life? It’s really very simple. The Bible tells us all: “Don’t do that. Do this instead. And keep on doing it.” 

Very simple, yes. Far from easy.

But, it’s all in there! Relationship and marital advice, parenting tools, insights on the type of friends to have (and to run from), leadership traits, organizational administration, how to communicate effectively…the list is endless. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, we are given scientific facts in biology, astronomy, archeology, etc. (some of which are being newly corroborated even today). The Psalms relate to our everyday struggles and frustrations, while reminding us of God’s sovereignty in it all. The Proverbs provide very practical wisdom that, when followed, save us from a lot of grief. From all the New Testament writers, we get to see relatable human frailty and failure along with Holy-Spirit led victories. We learn how to keep on moving forward toward our eternity in the light of our salvation. And we can rest in the fact that will take a few steps forward and a couple steps back—but at least we’re going in the right direction.

And, most importantly, every one of the 66 books point to a single underlying theme: Jesus— our Lord, Savior, Friend, Anchor, Strength, Judge, King. Because it is knowing Jesus and accepting who He is and what He’s done on our behalf that, well…that’s the most profitable thing of all.

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?  

Psalm 56:3-4

These verses from David, as he was on the run from King Saul’s murderous pursuit, may seem contradictory at first glance. He basically says, “When I’m afraid, I won’t be afraid.” Huh?

Let’s start with the comforting thought that even David—a man after God’s own heart—uses the word “when” here. He acknowledges that he has been, is, and will be afraid. This from a man who killed bears and lions as a young shepherd boy, took down a giant with a stone and slingshot, and victoriously battled enemy after enemy throughout his life. David didn’t seem to be afraid of very much.

In the context of this Psalm, though, the current king, Saul, wants David dead because he knows David will take his throne. As Saul and his armies are chasing him, David feels the heat. He knows he’s just one step ahead of Saul, and he hears the word on the street—the lies about him, the traps being set for him, the oppression, the eagerness for his demise.

And he is afraid.

But, because he has trusted the Lord throughout his life, because he knows and loves God’s word, David has a solid foundation on which he can stand. He has experienced the fact that God is for him (v 9). The Lord has protected him and delivered him in the past (v13), so David knows that God’s promises to him are true. Moreover, in verse 8, David describes how God has walked with him through his wanderings and trials, collecting his tears through sorrow and pain.

And he’s still afraid—and that’s OK! In fact, the seemingly contradictory part in verse 4—“I shall not be afraid”—is not saying that David won’t experience fear. David’s saying that when he is afraid, he’ll use it as a prompt to recall, “I trust You, Lord, and trust Your word!” He is saying, “In my fear, I don’t have to be afraid.” (I picture him hiding out, perhaps in one of his many on-the-run cave dwellings, shaking in his sandals and repeating to himself in prayer, “I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid.”)

What a great reminder for us all. In this life, we all have battles and trials (John 16:33). We may, like David, even have people twisting our words and setting traps for us—eager for our downfall. And although we may not have someone pursuing our very life, every believer has a real enemy of our soul who wants us to live in discouragement, distress, and fear. 

But God. God is praiseworthy, faithful, true. His word is trustworthy. We need to look back on His blessings and recall how He’s carried us through previous storms. Let’s recognize that we have not shed a single tear that God has not caught and collected. And, by putting our faith in Jesus, we can also look ahead to His promise of eternal hope. Regardless of how daunting our circumstances are today, our ultimate future as believers is fear-free. 

“Lord, when I am afraid, I will trust in You…and I will stand firm on the foundation of Your truth—Your Word—to recall that You have a hold on me. What can mere man—or Satan—do to me?”

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Uncertainty. Anxiety. Fear. These thoughts and emotions are among the most prevalent in today’s “unprecedented” times. (Well, they’re not that unprecedented, but that’s another story.)  In fact, the CDC—right or wrong, everyone’s go-to resource these days—recently reported that 25.5% of young American adults between 18 and 24 have considered suicide between May and June due to our nation’s response to COVID-19. This same study also noted that 13.3% of survey respondents claim they had turned to substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, to cope with stress caused by the pandemic.*

The economic impacts to families, communities, and our nation have also been catastrophic on many levels. And, young children are facing long-term emotional and psychosocial damage from suspended schooling and other mandated actions. The list goes on and on and on as to valid reasons for sustained dread and insecurity.

But there is good—no, great—news! A “sure thing” is available to us all.

There is blessed assurance in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. When we accept what Jesus accomplished on our behalf, we can be absolutely secure in our current standing with God and our eternal destination (John 5:24; 10:28). It’s not about our good-versus-bad tally each day (we’d all fail there, friends). It’s not about our church attendance or donation totals. Salvation (our sinful nature traded for Jesus’ righteousness) is not dependent on what we do—or don’t do. It only requires a decision to trust the Lord and surrender all those efforts to Him and His work alone (Romans 10:9; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

And this certainty is not based on our feelings. I’m confident that many Christians (if not all of us) doubt our salvation because we’re not “feeling” close to God. We will have mountaintop experiences and valley seasons. We’ll struggle with our ungodly words and actions. Maintaining “the joy of the Lord” can be a challenge. But we’re in good company—just read David’s Psalms or anything from the Apostle Paul! 

So, if you’re reading this, and you’re already a believer, you can rest easy amid today’s tumult. Your security in Christ is a sure thing no one can take away. And, if you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus, why not make today the day (2 Corinthians 6:2)? All you have to do is let go of your uncertainty, release the idea that being “good enough” is good enough for an eternity in heaven. Just believe that, on the cross of Calvary, Jesus exchanged His life for yours—your penalty has been paid in full. Just believe and be forgiven—and you’ll be a new creation (1 John 1:9; 2 Cor 5:17). 

After all, we could all use a sure thing right now.

* https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Matthew 5:13

Today, people have a love-hate relationship with salt. We love the way it makes our food taste better when it’s added in the right amount—too much, though, and it can ruin a meal. And, for some, overusing salt produces a biological response that raises their blood pressure, creating a health risk. 

In Matthew’s gospel account of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus told His disciples that they are the salt of the earth—and the same message is true for His followers today. This lesson has many layers, especially when you study the different uses (and incredible value) of salt in Jesus’ time. There’s the preservation significance of salt, as there was no refrigeration. This equates to how we, as Christians, are to be preservers of God’s Word. There’s the flavor aspect of salt—and our call to flavor our world with the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus. 

But I want to look at a different quality of this simple mineral—one we all know for sure (and an aspect restaurants use as a standard profit-maker): Salt makes us thirsty. When we eat something deliciously salty (popcorn, chips, Chinese food, etc.), we want a tall glass of water nearby. Biologically speaking, when our bodily fluids and blood get saltier than the cells, vital water is actually pulled out of the cells. Those cells begin to protest, signaling the brain to tell us, “Hey! We need more water in here!” Hence, we feel thirsty.

So, when it comes to creating thirst for Jesus in others, how are we doing? Are the words we speak—and the tone we use—deliciously salty, inviting others to drink from the Fountain of Living Water (John 7:37-38)? Are our actions kind and grace-motivated, pulling from the other person the desire for more…and the desire to know more? When we interact with others, do we leave them with a pleasant taste? Or, when our paths cross with others, do we leave a nasty bitterness in our wake that merely produces a desire for them to rinse and spit?

Convicted? Yeah, me too.

Friends, let’s make an effort today—and every day—to be the salt of the earth, as Jesus encourages us to be. Let’s be preservers of the Word. Let’s flavor our homes, workplace, and community with grace. And let’s behave in a way that leaves others thirsty for more of what we have…Jesus.

Lord, may I be salt and light to the world today, especially as Truth evaporates and the darkness deepens. Let me represent You well.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore, you will receive greater condemnation.”  

Matthew 23:13-14

I know you’ve heard it. “Christians are such hypocrites.” In fact, I know you know people who do not go to church, don’t trust the Church, or even refute the existence of God because this statement is true.

If you haven’t been under a rock recently, you’ve read or seen media coverage on the tragic fall of the president of the largest Christian university in the world. The situation is sad and disappointing. And the media, along with unbelievers everywhere, are almost giddy as they report (um, attack) with a sparkle in their eyes this man, his family, his family name, and—of course—the university. (Don’t get me wrong, he’s made very poor decisions over the years, and I pray his heart turn back wholly to the Lord.) 

(I will also say, though, that my heart is utterly broken for the students and faculty who wholeheartedly love the Lord…and the generations of graduates since 1971 who are making a profound impact for Christ globally.)

But, fellow Christians, I have one request of us before we—with the masses—face his image on the TV or computer screen, point, and shout, “You hypocrite!” 

First, go to a mirror, face your own image, point, and shout, “You hypocrite!”

Yes, the Church is hypocritical—it’s full of hypocrites! Its chairs are filled (well, 50% or so filled at present) with people like you and me. Fallen human beings who, although saved by grace, still live in the world. We have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ, so that when we stand before a perfect and holy God, we will be seen as worthy of His presence…but we’re not there yet. We’re here. In this world, in this broken body and depraved mind. Right now, we are not perfect—no one standing on this earth can proclaim otherwise.

That being said, as Christians, we—through the power of the Holy Spirit—still must strive to live an authentic life. We must read the Word and walk in the Word, doing our best not to “turn to the left or to the right” (Proverbs 4:27). And we recognize that we will fail. Like the great Apostle Paul bemoaned, we do the things we don’t want to do, and we don’t do the things we want to do (Romans 7:15-20). But, as we stand firm on God’s Truth, we ask—and receive—forgiveness (from others and from God), and we keep moving ahead.

So, whenever we see or hear of “hypocritical” Christians, stop, turn to the nearest mirror, and pray.

“Lord, thank You for making me a new, perfected creation in Christ. As I await living out that perfection with You in heaven, help me to live authentically, let me seek Your forgiveness when I fail, and help me extend grace to others.”