Leaf Theology

Fall is that time when the air grows crisp, the days grow shorter and our lives are fill with…leaves.

We have several trees in our yard, which means I rake and blow a lot of leaves.  Fortunately, my city has a system that allows me to pile my leaves by the curb where they are picked up after Christmas.  While this makes my life easier, removing leaves from my yard, roof and gutters consumes me. 

I have learned, when an experience in life requires considerable commitment on my part, it soon becomes a part of my spiritual walk.  I am not saying everything I do has a deep religious meaning.  But since my faith guides me daily, even the most mundane activities provide opportunities to remember truths from God’s Word.

Which brings me to leaves.  Not the beautiful colorful ones that hang on trees in the fall mind you.  I speak of the brown, dry and wild ones that blow where they wish, complicating the lives of neighborhood dwellers everywhere.  You may think I am out of my tree!  But join with me as we consider these leaf lessons:

The first lesson involves the leaves I own.  These are the ones that fall from my trees and land in my yard, bushes and gutters.  They are a nuisance.  Yet I feel an affinity toward them.  I have known them since they were little buds, as my trees emerged from their winter hibernation.  And yes, they are my trees.  While I cannot claim them as dependents, each one of them are living organisms, drawing nourishment from the ground I own and offer to them freely.  Should I grow tired of them, I would cut them down and pay to have them hacked into little pieces.  Please don’t think badly of me.  I merely wish to firmly establish what it means to possess trees and the leaves they drop at season’s end.  We have an understanding.  I provide the place, my trees provide shade in the summer and beauty in the fall, and I clean up the mess.  It works.  In like manner, I seem to cope best, though not perfectly, with managing the things I own.  This includes my personal decisions, commitments, passions, dreams and mistakes.  Of course, sometimes I am reluctant to accept ownership of things that belong to me; especially my mistakes.  But once I recognize them, I know what I must do.  I don’t mean to suggest I don’t need others to help me carry burdens of my own making.  However, it is easier for me to process my own responsibilities.  I remember the Apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 6:5 where he wrote, “For every man shall bear his own burden.”  And so, I rake and blow my own leaves without grumbling or complaining; with the occasional exception of an evil thought directed at a tree as I mumble, “Maybe it is time for you to come down, my friend.” 

Secondly, there are the leaves that others own; specifically, leaves others own, which fall or blow into my yard.  Perhaps, one could debate leaf ownership depending on its location.  And in case you are wondering, I pay close attention to the species of trees growing in my neighbors’ yards.  I know when my leaf pile has been invaded!  Not that it matters…much.  Ok, a little.  After I spend hours cleaning up my own leaves, I don’t want to manage more leaves that don’t belong to me; or at least didn’t belong to me until they drifted across my property line.  When this happens, however, I am reminded that I am called to bear burdens I don’t own.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  (Galatians 6:2).  I must admit, in that the leaves from my trees fall by December, it is discouraging to wake up in the morning and discover my neighbor’s “late-fallers” have recarpeted my lawn, or that he has delayed his leaf clean-up and as a result his leaves have blown into my yard.  Since one of my neighbors and I have lived next to each other for over 25 years, I really don’t mind his leaves much.  He and his wife are faithful servants of Christ and we watch out for one another.  But I also have some renters nearby with whom I have very little history.  I do my best to build good relationships with all of my neighbors, yet…  Let’s just say it is harder to keep my perspective with those I don’t know well.  I think this is the case in most situations, whether I am managing leaves or any number of relational issues that test my patience.  Every case is different, and while sometimes I don’t mind, other times I do.  Regardless, I am called to carry other’s burdens.  While Paul may have been speaking to believers, I think the Parable of the Good Samaritan compels me to add all of my neighbors to the list.  No, they aren’t my leaves, but they become mine to care for when they enter my space. 

Finally, there are leaves from my yard that wind up in my neighbor’s yards.  This is an ugly secret I would rather not share.  But there is no denying the truth.  My leaves fall and blow into my neighbors’ yards.  In addition, because I use the “pile-up” method by my curb, when the wind blows, leaves on top of the pile scatter.  And many of them end up in other people’s yards.  I wonder if some of my neighbors walk into their houses grumbling about the Jones guy who is unwilling to spend a little extra time to bag up his leaves.  Or maybe they wonder why I don’t thin out my tree inventory to reduce its impact on others.  And, I would be remiss if I did not share some more wisdom from the Apostle Paul who writes, “Each one should test their own actions.  Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” (Galatians 6:4).  I don’t think Paul is talking about leaves here, but he is asking me to step down from my proverbial “high horse” and stop comparing my actions to that of my neighbors.  In truth, we are all just sojourning leaf “picker-uppers” trying to find our way home!

The next time you pick up a rake or leaf blower to clean up your yard consider the words of the Apostle.  It may not make your job easier.  And you might still get frustrated with your neighbors.  But God’s word will help you keep your perspective when things pile up.  As a result, you will gain a new appreciation for this season when our leaves bring us together.

If you have been struggling with Paul’s words and/or your neighbors, maybe it is time to turn over a new leaf!  I will let you decide whether to put it in a bag or pile it by the curb.

Spiritual Truths from the Zoo

For the Thanksgiving holiday, my wife Jane and I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to visit our children and grandchildren.  After a delicious and more than sufficient feast, we leashed the dogs and embarked on an afternoon walk.  Our daughter and son-in-law live across the street from the Atlanta Zoo and Grant Park, which together provide everything a family needs for a great outdoor experience.  After zoo hours, the animals hang out in pastures behind their display enclosures, and they can be seen from the park walkway. 

Since I am always looking for a good deal, this is a perfect set-up.  Where else can one see giraffes, elephants and zebras for free, while walking the family dogs and burning off Thanksgiving meal calories? And in case you are curious, the dogs don’t seem to get too excited.  Maybe they are smart enough to know they are no match for large animals, or the twenty foot fence separating the zoo from the park may tell them there is no reason to get excited. 

Now, I must tell you, I have a habit of reading into behaviors, and projecting my thoughts where they don’t belong.  But I am convinced the animals at the zoo know they are off-stage, and have a different persona when they are safely tucked away in their back pastures.  They are less anxious, more natural, and meander with a care-free gait.  In human terms, we might say they are enjoying their “down-time” when they don’t have to be “on”. 

When I served in full-time church leadership, I often heard my peers speak of living in the “fish-bowl”.  The idea behind this metaphor is that ministers live out their life’s work in clear view of the world.  People watch them, analyze them, evaluate them and often share their observations freely with others.  Personally, I have never felt smothered by the “fish-bowl” affect, but I know it exists and can impact anyone in any vocation or season of life.  As I pondered my free zoo experience, I thought of some lessons I can learn from the animals there, and wish to share them for your consideration.

First, we all need “down-time”.  When we are “on”, we have a job to do.  Others have expectations of us and if we aren’t aware of our roles and responsibilities we can fail to perform well.  In some cases, we can let others down and the people we serve can suffer consequences as a result of our mistakes.  Certainly, we want the surgeon performing our operation to be “on”, as well as the warrior protecting our freedom or the elected officials leading our country and community.  But no one can stay “on” forever.  Eventually, we will all experience fatigue.  In extreme cases, such as with military personnel serving extended tours in war zones, the lack of down-time can lead to long-term disabilities.  Unfortunately, some jobs don’t provide the time we need to refresh our bodies, minds and spirits.  You don’t practically “clock-out” in a war zone.  However, in some cases, we impose the belief we must always be “on” on ourselves.   We are driven by unrealistic expectations, and refuse to admit our limitations.  In reality, others often see how our obsessions negatively impact our performance, and sometimes they secretly wish we would take time for ourselves because our compulsions make them nervous.  When we take time to meander without any set agenda or expectation, we give ourselves the space to refresh our souls and reconnect with the Lord.  While we need to fulfill our obligations to others, we also need to care for ourselves.  Down-time is not wasted time.  It may be the most valuable time we spend as we meditate on Jesus’ words, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).

Secondly, it is good to have a change of scenery.  I wonder what it is like to be a zoo animal who watches the endless stream of onlookers walk by.  Day after day they come, pushing their strollers, taking pictures and sipping from their souvenir cups.  Of course, there are the occasional sounds some guests make in order to tease the animals while attempting to impress their friends and family members.  It all must seem quite ridiculous and annoying from the animals’ point of view.  What do you suppose they would say if they could talk? “If one more kid makes a monkey sound, I’m going to hit him in the nose with a banana!” Or, perhaps, “If I ever get out of here, I’m going to find that guy who tossed his candy wrapper into my encloser and turn him into Reese’s Pieces!”  In the same way, our environments can stress us out and cause us to lose our patience with others.  Perhaps you have found yourself going for a short walk to distance yourself from people or situations.  I love Luke 6:12 where we are told, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”  What do you suppose Jesus talked to His Father about?  “Honestly, you would not believe how many times I have to remind my disciples of the same things I told them the day before.”  Or “Do you think Peter is going to make it?  He always seems to run his mouth before his brain is in gear.”  We all have different places or activities that help us temporarily set our stressors aside, whether it be a walk on the beach or in the woods, a bike ride, gardening or attending a sports venue.  We also have the opportunity to take Jesus’ lead and spend quite time with God before we start our day or as we prepare for bed.  We all need to step out of our enclosures long enough to regain our balance.  When we do, even the less desirable things in our lives can become a little more bearable. 

Finally, when we leave our enclosures, we are reminded we are not defined by what others see, but rather, by our sense of self.  Please don’t misunderstand.  What others see is important.  People judge our character and our Christian witness by the things we do and say in their presence.  On the other hand, others don’t determine our ultimate sense of worth and being.  God is our Creator, and at times we need to disengage from others so we can hear His voice.  While I have never heard God speak to me in an audible voice, when I am by myself, I am able to recall words of truth from scripture and reflect on their relevance in my life.  I am unincumbered by my present circumstances and can reflect on the past and dream about the future.  When I pray in my private time, God assures me of my identity in Christ and strengthens my trust and reliance as I consider how His hand might be moving in my life.  There is simply too much clutter in the encloser to experience these things.  The Psalmist said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).  It is possible to be still in our spirits, even in the midst of chaos.  Indeed, this is the beauty of walking with God.  However, it is important to be purposeful in sitting beside the still waters as God restores our souls.  A part of this restoration is the grace to accept ourselves as we are and celebrate the unique ways God has designed us for His glory.

I must be honest and say the best part about my recent visit to the zoo was that it was free!  In a similar way, most of the best things in life are free, including the lessons the animals teach us.  As long as we aren’t shirking a necessary responsibility, it costs nothing to unplug, leave our enclosure and take time to contemplate who we are, the God who made us and the plans He has for us. 

If you are ever in Atlanta, and find yourself walking in Grant Park after zoo hours, take time to watch the animals.  You might learn something.  But please don’t tell anyone else.  I wouldn’t want to be the reason the Atlanta zoo goes bankrupt. 

Who Cares?

Our world is hurting.  As a human race, we stand in the shadow of Jesus’ words to His disciples when He said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:6-13).  While I believe Jesus was referring to some geopolitical events which would impact the early church, He also framed a story-line which has been repeated for generations since. 

I personally do not dismiss world tension as merely “more of the same”.  Our age has its unique issues, leaders and cultures.  And, of course, we have the looming reality of nuclear annihilation in the background, which flavors our political posturing.  Our efforts to balance justice with peace, and to seek a meaningful resolution to world conflict should never end.  I say this because I don’t want you to think what I am about to share is a grossly simplistic compartmentalization of a complex situation.

But I do wish to turn my attention to the countless individuals in our world who are suffering from disease, famine, physical maiming and associated trauma as a result of war, poverty, government corruption and natural disasters.  Perhaps you have found yourself wanting to reach into a television screen to hold a frightened child in your arms, or to shelter a family which has witnessed atrocities and has nowhere to turn.  Indeed, there are some means by which we can and do help, whether it be through financial contributions to relief organizations and Christian missions or arranging to be personally present to bind up the wounded. 

In the midst of such sorrow, however, I confess that I sometimes allow my opinions to harden my heart when I see innocent people caught in the crossfire of events at home and abroad.  My diseased conscience declares, “How horrible! But then, they brought it on themselves.”  Or, “They have had opportunities, but they refuse to change.” These judgments make it possible to disassociate myself from others’ tragedies, while maintaining an air of righteousness.    

However, I dare not fall into this trap.  For my soul’s sake I must not.  It is true I can allow my compassion for people to cloud my thinking and unwittingly hurt them in my attempt to help them.  For example, I am not doing irresponsible people a favor by constantly rescuing them from their destructive decisions.  On the other hand, it is possible for my heart to grow so cynical and cold I lose touch with my own humanity, or even worse the image of God in all of humanity.    

In light of suffering in our world, and the actions we might take or withhold to relieve it, I thought it might be helpful to frame a few principles to guide our thinking:

First, and foremost, we should remember Christ’s command to care for the hurting.  Jesus’ famous teaching in Matthew 25:31-46 regarding the “least of these”, reminds us He is near to, and in some way imbedded in the plight of the hurting.  When we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, take in a stranger, clothe the naked or visit those in prison, we are literally serving Jesus.  He, Himself experienced all of these things, and whether we care for His servants or those who are far off, we do so out of love and reverence for the One who emptied Himself for our salvation.  The question is not, “Should I care for the hurting”, but rather, “If I am commanded to do so, when, how and where does my Lord wish to use me?”  I totally understand why we might say, “I just don’t have any sympathy for people who…”  However, we must ask ourselves where we would stand in God’s eyes if He assumed the same posture toward us.  We cannot morally or ethically afford to dismiss other people’s pain.

Secondly, we should take personal responsibility for the Lord’s prompting in our own hearts and not expect others to answer our call.  I am not suggesting there is anything wrong with rallying others for a good cause.  Many wonderful Christ-based relief organizations owe their existence to founders who invited others to join them on a mission.  Yet, it is easy to say, “We ought to do this or that”, or perhaps, “You should do this or that”, and fail to take responsibility for something God has put on our hearts.  If I see people hurting and feel compelled to help, I should look for a way to relieve their suffering.  At the risk of sounding a bit dramatic, consider this possibility: If we see an innocent child bloodied by war, we can send money to an organization whose members are personally ministering to the child.  If we want to hold the child and sit with him in his stained garments, we might by some providential move of God travel to his side and do just that.  But if this occurs it would be wrong for us to point our finger at others and say, “You should be here as well.”  In truth, someone who remains in his home to care for an aging loved one with dementia, or who holds her child in her arms during chemotherapy treatments is also serving “the least of these.”  When we impose our passion on others, we run the risk of becoming self-centered in the course of serving others. Our goal should always be to discern God’s will for our own lives and honor Him through obedience, without holding others to unrealistic expectations.

Finally, we should not exploit the suffering of others for our own purposes.  It is common in our culture to use images of suffering people to demonize those with whom we have strong philosophical or political disagreements.  We must remember the mother who has just witnessed the murder of her husband and children doesn’t care about our political views.  The homeless veteran at the mercy of unscrupulous victimizers doesn’t want to hear our philosophy.   This doesn’t mean politics and philosophies don’t matter.  They are, in fact, often the root cause of suffering.  However, our first response to suffering should not be one of blame and moral superiority as if to say, “See! This is where your thinking leads!”  We must remember the true enemy is Satan, and we are the Good Neighbors who stop for those who are bleeding, and if possible, make a personal difference in their lives.    

It is important to guard our hearts lest they grow weary and cold.  I don’t believe God expects us to care for everyone as that would be impossible, or to fail to hold people accountable.  But we must not lose the ability to weep with those who weep (as well as rejoice with those who rejoice).  When Jesus shared His teaching in Matthew 25, he didn’t say “When you did it for the least of these with whom you agreed.”  Instead, He gave us a command that is impossible to ignore.  He also said there will be a time when He will separate the obedient from the disobedient, the “sheep” being the obedient and the “goats” being the disobedient.

I can’t tell you how to act on the Lord’s call to care for the hurting.  Just don’t be a goat.

Where Have All the Fliers Gone?

The region where I live recently held a “hotly contested election”.  While the candidates fired up their voting base and attacked one another, bulk-rate political ads printed on large card-stock filled our mailbox. 

As campaigns progressed and the ads piled up, I considered how I might repurpose them.  I considered wallpapering a bedroom but decided against it because I didn’t want to scare the grandkids when they come to visit.  I pondered how I might press the ads together to create building materials for some home construction projects.  Ultimately, I tossed them in the recycling bin.

Finally, the day following the election arrived.  I’m pretty sure my mailbox smiled at me as I opened the flap and pulled out a couple of letters, and no political ads.

It might be a little dramatic to refer to this post-election phenomenon as the “calm after the storm”, especially since the outcomes of elections can usher in new anxieties (such as run-offs and recounts).  Still, I am struck by the change of tempo and intensity we experienced after the votes were counted.  It reminded me of Christmas as months of shopping, preparation and gatherings give way to returns, leftovers and big credit card bills.

I am not suggesting any of these things are inherently evil.  I’m sure the postal service appreciates the business at election time, and candidates certainly need to counter the messages of their opponents.  In like manner, merchants depend on Christmas to balance their ledger sheets.  I am merely highlighting one aspect of human nature.   When our hopes and dreams hinge on a single date or season, we throw all of our energy into the process. Then, when everything comes to an end, we rest and evaluate the outcome.  If the result is negative, then the ads, tinsel and credit card bills become a sour reminder of our unfulfilled desires. 

Few things sting more than unmet expectations.  Therefore, as we shake off the remnants of one season and prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas, consider how a few key points might help us come away with our hearts and minds intact. 

Remember, man-made outcomes are always subservient to the will of God.  In other words, God reigns supreme in everything.  This doesn’t mean we should throw up our hands when life doesn’t go the way we had hoped and say, “it must be God’s will.”  Many things that happen in our world fall outside of the will of God, and as His people we should continue to look for ways to promote kingdom values.  On the other hand, if we strive to honor God and still encounter defeat, we must trust He will honor our faithfulness.  God gives us opportunities to make a difference in the midst of adversity.  This means that instead of giving up, we pray, “God show me what to do now.”  It’s healthy to admit our disappointments but we don’t have to embrace despair.   

Secondly, intensity is temporal, but truth is eternal.  Some people call it “hype”.  The energy we invest to draw attention to our causes can be effective.  But after the dust settles, and the hype has subsided, the substance of our effort remains.  If it doesn’t then we can rightly say our message was “all hype.”  But truth doesn’t dissipate like the morning mist.  It stands whether others recognize or embrace it.  Psalm 33:11 reads, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”  The Broadway character Annie sings “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, so ya gotta hang on ‘til tomorrow, come what may.”  I love this song and others like it, because it expresses hope in the face of tragic circumstances.  My ultimate hope is in the One who makes the sun come out tomorrow; the One who holds me as I hold onto Him.  Therefore, I want to build my life on His Word and manage my expectations based on His promises.  I may still get discouraged and angry when some earthly outcome I wanted doesn’t occur.  However, I not only trust in the sovereignty of God, but also the eternal nature of His truth.  I am confident the things that are true and right will survive the darkest night. 

Finally, the right expectations will help us endure seasons of disappointment.  Please don’t misunderstand me.  I believe when we decide to participate in something important, we should have high expectations.  Coaches don’t prepare their teams to lose in the closing moments before a competition.  They inspire them to win!  If we approach a holiday season with a “woe is me” attitude, there is a good chance our experience will align with our expectations.  I actually think there is a place for “hype”. It is exciting to be a part of something big, and to experience it with others of like spirit.  But we still need to clarify our expectations.  For example, if an election result runs counter to our wishes, we can remember the political process, win or lose, is a means to promote our values in our community.  If we are experiencing loss or broken relationships during the holidays, we might be drawn more dearly to the narrative of Christmas and the love of a Creator who wants to walk with us through every situation.  Being surrounded by friends and family is a holiday tradition, but it doesn’t have to be an expectation.  Jesus, the Son of God, spent the first Christmas in an animal shelter with the smell of manure wafting through the room.  And he was placed in a manger.  Have you ever seen a real-life manger?  They are filled with straw, cobwebs, animal snot and saliva.  This is the kind of birth God planned for His Son, but it certainly wasn’t what others expected. 

Unfortunately, we live in a culture prone to hype.  This puts us on a perpetual roller-coaster of emotion.  Perhaps the sudden absence of political fliers in our mailbox will remind us to keep it all in perspective.  God still reigns, truth still stands, and we still possess what is most important.

And now there is room in our mailbox for the next round of fliers; The ones that count the days until Christmas.  Oh, but wait!  We still have Thanksgiving!  Where have all the Thanksgiving fliers gone? 

I have yet to see one.

Who Needs Laws?

Recently, a Hampton Roads city announced it is installing speed cameras in school zones.  This isn’t surprising as it seems our culture has misplaced some of the most basic principles of civility. In this case, steps are being taken to protect children from those who may not follow the law, or choose to dismiss the possible horror associated with their actions. 

I realize traffic laws aren’t specifically mentioned in the Bible (with the possible exception of Jesus’ direction to go the extra mile), but it does speak of “lawlessness”.  God’s Word tells us there is a “man of lawlessness” and that the spirit of lawlessness is already in the world.  We experience it when we sin against God, are hurt by the sins of others or hurt others because of our own sin.  In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, the Apostle Paul writes, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work.”

Since the laws our government establishes fall under the Bible’s teaching on obeying those God has placed in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7), we can rightly say that in most cases, breaking the law is a sin.  Exceptions might be when a law requires us to disobey God (such as Nebuchadnezzar’s command that others should worship his statue in the desert), or when a government loses its legitimacy.  But these are topics for another time.  For now, I wish to ponder why we need laws and why we follow them.

In the most general terms, laws are given for our own welfare.  While it is true, some laws may not impact all of our lives the same way, we still recognize the behavior they promote creates an environment in which we can find fulfillment in our personal pursuits.  One would think we would naturally want to follow all reasonable laws (and less naturally follow the ones we think are unreasonable), if for no other reason but to contribute to the moral and ethical fiber that holds our society together.  “One would think”. 

A quick review of recent news stories tells us people are not thinking; at lest not in the way I have shared here.  Examples include mass shootings, flash-mob robberies, hate crimes and identity theft.  All of these expressions of lawlessness, which we call crimes, involve those who put their individual desires above the mutual hope of blessings of peace and prosperity for all.  No one with hopes and dreams for a better life wants to live in a place where they don’t feel safe, and given an opportunity to relocate, they likely will. 

Perhaps it isn’t necessary to consider why we need laws and why we follow them.  I don’t imagine any of us would have to think hard to answer both of these questions.  However, the question all of us must ask is, “Have we created space in our hearts for the sprit of lawlessness?”  Yes, we are all sinners, but there is a difference between being lured into temptation, and allowing Satan to set up camp in our hearts.  At some point, we may recognize we have started to embrace the spirit of our age and fostered attitudes that make us less sensitive to God’s will.   Should this happen, or perhaps to guard against the possibility, consider these reminders from the Word of God:

The spirit of lawlessness appeals to immediate pleasures and vulnerable places in our hearts. In James 1:14, we read, “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  While James refers to “evil desires”, we must realize “evil” can be applied to desires which are not sinful in themselves.  One of Satan’s methodologies is to convince us to pursue natural desires in evil ways rather the wholesome and life-giving ways God intended.  This reality can apply to many things, but certainly two areas where we find it in our culture are the American work ethic and sexuality.  For example, the Bible tells us to work to provide for our families, and I believe God has wired us to be ambitious as we pursue our dreams.  Yet, work can become evil when we allow things such as greed and envy to fill our hearts.  If we aren’t careful, we will sacrifice people in our lives for things which are temporal.  In like manner, sexual pleasure is a gift from God within the bonds of a loving marriage between a husband and wife.  But when we step out of God’s will, something intended for pleasure becomes sinful and destructive.  The spirit of lawlessness can convince us we aren’t doing anything wrong because our activity may not be inherently evil, when in fact, we are in danger of turning a blessing into a curse because we are putting our desires above the truths found in God’s Word.

Secondly, The spirit of lawlessness appeals to our desire for a stress-free life.  We all know the feeling of standing against popular opinion, whether it be with our peer group or society at large.  It is human to be liked.  This is probably why we let the spirit of lawlessness creep into our hearts.  If we embrace sin, people might like us more.  Of course, the “us” they are liking isn’t the real us.  We may also discover people who like us most when we agree when them aren’t very reliable.  This means while dismissing the seriousness of sin might temporarily keep the peace with those around us, it is a weak foundation for long and meaningful relationships.  In addition, our chief goal is life should be to please God, not others.  When we do, God blesses others through us.  This is why Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  In reality, the spirit of lawlessness produces more stress in our lives because it makes up puppets of Satan who has no concern for our welfare and takes joy in leading us down a path to destruction.

Finally, the spirit of lawlessness makes us proficient at mind tricks, such as rationalization and justification.  This may come in the form of a new vocabulary as we find spiritual ways to explain away ungodly acts.  Perhaps you have heard people say, “the church is known more for what it is against than what it is for.” One way to interpret this statement (with which I agree) is that we should make sure we, as Christians, are not “Bible-thumping”, judgmental and hateful beings, but rather ambassadors of the good news of Jesus’ love and grace.  On the other hand, if we believe this means we should dismiss biblical truth to befriend the world, then we are falling victim to the wiles of the evil one.  In reality, we should do both, speaking the truth in love and grace, but not one at the expense of the other.  Unfortunately, as humans we often latch onto perspectives which can be formed in our own image and used to explain away what God desires.  Jeremiah spoke to this bent in Jeremiah 17:9 when he wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure.”  The spirit of lawlessness rarely appears in full disclosure.  Rather, it twists and distorts what is true to give voice to our sinful selves.

We cannot help but shake our heads at the lawless things that others do.  We may also pride ourselves in being different, pure and sound in our adherence to the will of God.  Just remember, Satan has been at helm of lawlessness since the beginning of time.  He works through the morally loose and the theologically proper.  He rummages around in the hearts of people who want to love others in Jesus’ name as well as those who strive to hold to biblical truth. 

Please slow down in school zones, and any other zones where a law is in place to protect others.  If you don’t, I can’t guarantee you will get caught (unless you are in the city with the new cameras).  But you will be putting out the welcome mat for the spirit of lawlessness.  And believe me, once he finds a comfortable place in your hearts, he’s hard to evict!

The Road to Incompletion

Summertime brings warm weather, days at the beach, trips to parks, wooded trails…and road construction!  For obvious reasons, cities and states choose summer months to undertake road projects. Of course, some construction on major projects occurs year-round.  But in general, we can usually plan on lots of orange cones and barrels during the summer months.

Unfortunately, the lane shifts, uneven pavement and narrow roadways that go along with construction make auto mishaps more likely.  This is bad for the motorists who are in these mishaps (hopefully, with no injuries), and frustrating for others who are unable to reach their destinations on time.  Sometimes it feels like the entire road system is turned upside down and we are the victims of an evil plot by the demons of transportation!

However, I think most of us would agree that we appreciate being able to travel on roads in good repair.  We endure the inconvenience of construction now, so we can enjoy something better later.

There is something in all of us that reacts negatively to incompletion, whether it be the exciting end to a football game which we missed due to a power outage, a puzzle with one missing piece, one strip of grass that remains uncut because we ran out of gas or a road under construction.  In like manner, we don’t do well with aspects of our personal lives that are incomplete.  Some examples include dreams and goals that seem unattainable, opportunities to use our talents and gifts which are taken from us and regrets over relationships with loved ones where something was left unsaid or undone.  Incompletion creates anxiety, and it tests our faith and character.  If you are facing incompletion today, allow me to share these thoughts, rooted in the Word of God:

Incompletion is a sign of growth.  The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Philippians: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) This verse suggests a process of “beginning”, the “in-between” (“will carry it on to”), and an “end” (completion).  If I understand Paul’s words correctly, we will be in a constant state of incompletion until we see Jesus face-to-face.  Perhaps you have experienced this reality in your life.  There is always something new to address in our walk with the Lord, and maturity takes time. Like a spiritual adolescent, we might believe we are 13 going on 18, but meaningful growth takes time.  Therefore, we should embrace incompletion and celebrate what God is doing in us between now and eternity. 

Incompletion does not rob us of earthly victories.  Just because we may not be fully mature in this life doesn’t mean there aren’t milestones and victories to celebrate along the way.  Years ago, a young lady who had turned away from a promiscuous life stopped on the way out of a worship service to tell me she had remained pure for two years! She was extremely thankful for her milestone and I told her I was proud of her.  I will admit this was an unusual conversation to have with someone as they left worship with others standing nearby.  But she had experienced a victory, and it was well worth celebrating!  The pathway to godliness is a life-long journey, but along the way we should take time to acknowledge our victories over Satan and give God the glory.  It is possible the best way to create a context for victory in this life is to recognize our state of incompletion.  If we think we have arrived, we will stop striving and it will be hard to reach for greater things. Take time to ponder the words of the old hymn “Victory in Jesus”, and thank Him for helping you grow.

Incompletion creates space for “change orders”.  When God leads us to set a course for change in our lives, we may not be in the best place to develop a sustainable strategy.  As we begin to grow, we will likely see our circumstances more clearly, including additional weak spots that need attention.  You may be aware, in the construction world when alterations are made to original plans, a “change order” is requested.  These can be very expensive.  The good news is, God allows us to add parts to our plan anywhere along the way, free of charge! Have you uncovered formally unseen ways you hurt the people you love?  No problem! God can add that item to your growth plan.  Have your personal circumstances changed creating new unforeseen challenges in your life?  No worries! God can include these developments in the strategy moving forward.  One of the risks of wanting completion to come too quick is that we can short-circuit the process of spiritual reflection that plumbs the depths of our hearts and minds.  More than one contractor has said, “I’m glad we still had time to change that”.  Is it possible God stretches out our growing time to allow for greater clarity?  I think so.  Perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul shared these thoughts in Colossians 1:10-11: “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience”.

I guess I should add that these principles may not be appropriate in all areas of our lives.  Please don’t tell your boss I said it was better for you to leave a major work project incomplete.  And if you are a student, I would advise you to complete your assignments.  “God is still working on me” is not an adequate rationale when it comes to academic expectations. 

But when it comes to the long-haul; the sum total of our lives as we prepare to meet Jesus, there is nothing wrong with cones and barrels.  So, don’t be frustrated by lower speed limits, solid white lines, lane shifts and an occasional fender-bender.  It’s all a part of the journey. 

Oh, and if you are reading this devotion on your mobile device, don’t do it while you are behind the wheel.  You always want to watch out for others and yourself on your way to your destination.  This is another thing about incompletion.  We are not on this journey alone.  But we don’t have time to examine this aspect of maturity.

I guess my thoughts will just have to remain incomplete for now!

It’s About Time

Several years ago, I read a book titled, “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate; Discoveries from a Secret World” by Peter Wohlleben.  If you enjoy books about nature, I can recommend this one, and although I don’t buy into all of Wohlleben’s theories and conclusions, I haven’t looked at trees the same since.  I now wonder if they are watching me, which suggests you may want to line up an appointment with a therapist if you read the book.

I do believe Wohlleben makes one important point that cannot be denied: trees live on a different time schedule than humans.  For example, Great Basin Bristlecone Pines have been known to live 5,000 years.  While this lifespan may amaze us, as worshippers of God, we recognize 5,000 years is a very small season in light of eternity. 

Still, in this finite life, trees remind us the passage of time has many perspectives among living things.  I realize the term “perspective” suggests trees and other non-human organisms have the ability to think.  You must excuse this reference as I believe it is another lingering impact on my life from Wohlleben’s work.  But hopefully, you get the idea.

Imagine you lived life as if you were a tree.  Not “as” a tree but “as if” you were one.   I am thinking specifically of how we might see changing seasons in our lives if we imagined we were going to be on earth for 100 years, 500 years, or 5,000 years like the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine.  It seems, so many of our decisions are based on the biblical baseline of “threescore and ten” (Psalm 90:10), and corresponding milestones such as young adulthood, midlife and retirement.  What if we put these aside for a moment to see things through a different filter?

I recognize there are certain realities that are indisputable.  As young adults we have tons of energy.  In midlife, our energy wanes some even as we struggle under a load of responsibility in our careers, distress over financial challenges and physical maladies as our bodies start to show their age.  Later, retirement not only changes our status, but thrusts us into the world of actuaries and health care plans, both which focus on age, risk and quality of life. 

We also face anxieties along the way which are not associated with physical realities.  A mid-life crisis may result from evaluations we make of ourselves and others which are not rooted in truth.  A “comfortable” retirement may suggest freedom from financial insecurity.  But financial security does not guarantee a life of fulfillment, meaning and joy. 

Simply put, while we cannot ignore the limitations of our earthly lifespan, we should also guard against allowing this awareness to define our identity.  We are more than the man-made time divisions we create from the cradle to the grave.  Consider these principles:

There is value in marking time in our lives, but we should do so within the context of biblical stewardship.  God’s Word says a great deal about time.   In a Psalm by Moses, we are told to “number the days of our lives” to gain “a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).  Our goal in life is not to see how much money we can have in our bank account when we die, although it is good to have adequate financial resources.  Instead, we are to use our time to fulfill the will of God.  When we keep this in mind, we gain wisdom and use our days for His glory.  The Apostle Paul told us make the most of “every opportunity” by showing wisdom in the way we act toward outsiders.  If we live our entire lives for ourselves, we miss what God is doing.  But if we look for people and moments God brings into our lives for a purpose, we can become ambassadors of His grace.  Time belongs to God, is given by God and should be seen in light of His will.             

Secondly, our time on earth should always be lived with an eye on eternity.  Eternity with God isn’t the only thing that matters, but it is the thing that ultimately matters.  For this reason, the Apostle Paul wrote, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (1 Corinthians 4:18).  Certainly, we should seek meaning in our temporary lives.  God has showered us with blessings to be enjoyed, and given us gifts with which to bless others.  There is so much I personally want to experience in this life, I pray God allows me to stay here as long as possible.  But after this life, there is “forever”.  I need to use this life to its fullest, but I need to prepare for what comes next.  It is important to measure the days of my life, as Moses advises us, but we do this, not to measure how long we are living, but rather how we are living and for whom we are living.  This means worrying about how much I have accomplished by mid-life or how well off I am at retirement, while important, is not as important as asking, “How has my life to this point been used for God?” And “Am I investing my life in places that will matter in heaven?” 

Finally, as our wisdom grows, so will our ability to celebrate God-honoring, eternally focused moments in our lives.  Please don’t misunderstand.  I believe there is tremendous value in honoring our earthly achievements.  Not only does it feel good when we accomplish our goals, but others are encouraged when we celebrate with them.  Romans 12:15 tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (and to mourn with those who mourn).  It would be unkind for us to throw water on others’ celebrations by telling them their rewards here are just temporary.  On the other hand, with the right focus, we will begin to recognize the difference between things that bring us joy on earth alone and those which bless us now and forever.  Some examples of this latter group include the people we bring to Christ, the ministry we provide for the hungry, thirsty, sick, homeless, naked and imprisoned (Matthew 25: 31-46), and our growing relationship with the Lord.  These things give us cause for rejoicing here and there, now and forever.

I am still amazed when I think about a 5,000 year old tree.  Imagine the things we could experience if we lived this long.  But while I will be very fortunate to live to 100, I can have the perspective of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine.  I can worry less about the passing of time and relish the changing seasons of my life where God directs my steps and leads me close to His side.

I hope you live a long life.  I also hope the life you live is full of amazing accomplishments.  And most of all, I pray you know the life we find in Christ; that which feeds our souls in this lifetime and makes us complete in the time to come. 

And if you drive through a canopy of trees and you sense someone is watching you, pay attention.  It could be a wild animal.

Or maybe…

The Truth about the Tooth

My wife Jane and I recently travelled to an historic site where we stayed overnight, toured the grounds and hunted for shark teeth at the Potomac River.  For those of you who don’t live near the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, you may be surprised to discover shark teeth are everywhere!  The bluffs lining the Potomac were once a part of the ocean floor where shark teeth came to rest and were covered with sediment. 

The water was rough and the tide was high, which left us with a paltry collection of one small shark tooth.  But it was a shark tooth, which I later displayed proudly alongside some of our other favorite fossils and seashells.

Now, in the spirit of a phrase attributed in American folklore to George Washington (who was very familiar with the Potomac), “I cannot tell a lie.”  We didn’t actually find the shark’s tooth.  As Jane was walking back to our car, and I had stayed behind to take some pictures, an elderly woman with a walking stick stopped her and handed her the tooth.  The woman said, “I decided I was going to give it to the first woman I saw.” 

I am still processing the biased perspective of the woman with the walking stick.  But I will put this aside in favor of a more important lesson. 

When we returned from our trip, I posted a picture of the shark tooth on Facebook, and conveniently left out the part about the walking stick lady.  No, this wasn’t a passive-aggressive move to write someone who dismissed me because I was a man out of the story.  Rather, it was because I didn’t want anyone to know someone had to give us the shark tooth.  It was more self-serving to allow others to think we, or more specifically “I” had found it!     

I am certain this is not the first time someone on Facebook has misled the public with a post that purposely left out clarifying information.  Since my omission involved a gift, I could not help but consider an intriguing spiritual connection.

The Bible tells us that all good gifts come from God.  James writes, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (1:17) Ponder this point for a moment.  Every material and spiritual thing can be attributed to God, the Creator.  Sometimes, humans, prompted by the Evil One, use the good things God has made for destructive purposes. But lovers of God, who seek His will, look for ways to use His creation for good.  Above this, the basic necessities of life, such as oxygen, food and sunlight, are provided for us every day.  Therefore, we celebrate “every good and perfect gift” which we receive from an omnipotent God, either as a part of His daily provision, or as man-made products created for a divine purpose and given in love.

I return now, to my shark tooth.  It is very human to take credit for something we received as a gift.  With this in mind, consider these suggestions when you are blessed:

Distinguish between “discovery” and “creation”.  Even if I had found my shark tooth, I could only say I had discovered one of millions of shark teeth that are imbedded in bluffs surrounding the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  Personally, I love the process of discovery.  I am enthralled by space travel, archeology, genetics, neuroscience and geology.  I don’t understand everything I read about these and a number of other pursuits, but I am amazed by them.  I am also willing to honor the brilliant minds responsible for pulling back shrouds of mystery and revealing what has been hidden to mankind.  Yet, discovering what “is” cannot compare to creating what “is not”.  God made everything out of nothing, which means the thrill of human discovery is merely an affirmation of His perfect design.  In like manner, God doesn’t discover anything because He created the heaven and the earth and holds both in place.  Discovery should not “puff” us up, but instead, it should increase our sense of awe as we stand in the presence of our Creator. 

Show “gratitude”, not “attitude”.  Perhaps you have seen a joyous Christmas morning turn into a battlefield when a gift stirred up feelings of jealousy and greed in a child.  When we receive a gift, it is very human to focus on what we have and ignore how we might bless others with what we have received.  Even as adults, we quickly move into possession mode and establish our territory to keep others away from our good fortune.  Perhaps, after our gift becomes worn, or we lose interest we might be more willing to loosen our grip.  In contrast, when God made His covenant with Abraham, He said, ““I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). This is the perspective of the servant who knows he would have nothing were it not for a good and gracious God.  He or she asks, “Why did God bless me, and how does He want me to bless others?”  Perhaps this is why the woman with the walking stick gave my wife her shark tooth.  She knew her small gift would be a blessing to someone, and believed she had been put in a position to share what she had received.  Never mind that she only wanted to share with the “first woman” she saw (Not that I am still processing her thought process). 

Finally, choose to “celebrate”, not “relegate” your gift.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating our shark tooth online!  Shark teeth are cool, especially when you find them in places where sharks no longer swim, and when you realize they are of ancient origin.  As long as we remember the source of our gifts and don’t allow them to nurture greed in our lives, we should give ourselves the freedom to rejoice.  Of course, celebrating our blessings requires some wisdom.  It may not be appropriate to share how we have been blessed financially with a friend who is facing bankruptcy; unless in our next sentence we offer him a gift to help him with his struggle.  This is one of the subtle risks in social media; that we would unwittingly crush the spirits of someone who needs to be uplifted by highlighting a material blessing.  The line between boasting and celebrating can be a fine one.  On the other hand, there is something to be said for freely testifying of the goodness of God and not feeling as though we need to hide our feelings of joy.

With all of this said, I hereby repent of my use of the walking stick lady’s gift to puff up my ego, and my failure to demonstrate the right kind of joy.  While I think I will hang on to my shark tooth for a while, I also believe, should I find my own shark tooth on my next visit to the Potomac I will look for the first person born in Kentucky to give it to. 

Just kidding.  I will seek God’s direction and go from there.  Who knows who He may bring across my path and why. 

Acronyms and Jesus

I have never been good at deciphering acronyms, or remembering the words behind organizations or companies that use them as their logos.  As a newcomer to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, however, I must now find a path to understanding.  Acronyms are a big deal, and some people don’t take lightly to other people using their letters.

Consider the case of the World Wildlife Fund as it sought to force the World Wrestling Federation to stop using WWF.  For those of who grew up with the likes of Dusty Rhodes (“The American Dream”), this was a hard pill to swallow.  Then there was the dispute raised by the International House of Pancakes over the use of the IHOP designation by the International House of Prayer.  The pancakes were first, but the International House of Pancakes ultimately “flipped” directions and dropped their lawsuit.    

In the church movement I serve, there is a phrase that says we should “call Bible things by Bible names.”  I believe this sentiment emerged as a response to those who were in the habit of creating fancy, churchy terms to describe Bible things.  Among other things, the practice of reducing important biblical truths to acronyms can create a class distinction between those “in the know” and the uninitiated. 

I don’t mean to suggest acronyms are a bad thing, or that using them as a sort of believer’s code isn’t useful, especially in seasons of persecution.  It is thought the first acronym used by Christians was IXTHUS, which was the Greek word for “fish”.  It stood for (in the Greek) “Jesus” (I) – “Christ” (X) – “God’s” (TH) – “Son” (U) – “The Savior” (S).  You may be familiar with this term, but perhaps you are more aware of WWJD, which poses the question, “What would Jesus do?” 

Since acronyms are hard for me, I recently evoked the “Bible things by Bible names” plea, and asked myself where they can be found in scripture.  I surmised if I couldn’t find any there, then I could declare myself free of the practice, and evoke my faith as a rationale for not knowing or caring about the hundreds of acronyms we find in our culture. 

The short conclusion to my brief research is that acronyms do not exist in the Bible; at least not as we understand them in the English language.  But there are other literary devices used by authors to make their point, including some verbal cues which would only be evident if we were speaking Hebrew.  Perhaps the closest cousin would be the acrostic used by the psalmist in Psalm 119, in which individual lines, pairs and stanzas are linked with the consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 

Again, there is nothing wrong with using a literary tool to help us remember a phrase or to label a concept.  To borrow another phrase from the church movement I serve, “Where the Bible is silent, we are silent”.  The Bible does not speak against such things.  Therefore, we can use them if they are helpful. This brings me to the thought I wish to share.  When are acronyms helpful?  And when are they not helpful?  I pose these questions, because Christians sometimes use acronyms in their conversation with others, without considering whether or not the people who are listening actually know what they are talking about.  And unfortunately, our hearers will often nod their heads to signal they understand because they don’t want us to think they are uninformed.  Here are some questions we may want to ask.

Do the acronyms I use help me remember biblical references or truths?  Did you know you are seeing a biblical acronym when you pull up in front of a Sweet Frog restaurant?  The “FROG” designation stands for “Fully Rely on God”.  This is a good and “delicious” reminder of an important truth. There is a book titled, “Learn the Books of the Bible by Using Acronyms and More” by Carol Stutzman.  One example of her methodology is the idea that GE (which is associated with electricity) stands for “God’s electricity”.  These two letters appear twice in lists of Bible books, including Genesis and Exodus in the Old Testament and Galatians and Ephesians in the New Testament.  If these kinds of tools help us remember aspects of God’s Word so we can be prepared to research, recall or share it better, then by all means we should use them! 

Are the acronyms used in conjunction with what they represent, so they are meaningful to both insiders and outsiders?  For example, my church family provides a “Celebrate Recovery” ministry for those with “habits, hurts and hang-ups” (which we all have).  The acronym for Celebrate Recovery is CR.  Both are used on T-shirts and in publications in our church.  For those who participate regularly, the CR designation is likely used more.  For newcomers, the full term Celebrate Recovery is probably more meaningful.  In contrast, I have had conversations with people who refer to their church home or Chrisian organization in acronym form, without using the full title, and I have no idea what the letters mean.  In most cases I just nod my head as if I understand!  Hey, I don’t want to admit I don’t know something either!  We should always be thinking about those who are not “in the know”, and make sure we communicate with clarity.

Finally, are the acronyms intuitively connected to the things I wish to communicate?  When I was a young Christian, someone shared the ACTS prayer plan with me.  If you are unfamiliar with the plan, the letters represent “Adoration”, “Confession”, “Thanksgiving” and “Supplication.”  This acronym was obviously effective, because I remember the plan.  But if I use the ACTS designation in a sermon or article without a full explanation, and don’t mention that it is a framework for time with God, others might connect it with the biblical book of Acts because it doesn’t sound like it is about prayer.  Again, there is nothing wrong with acronyms, but if we use them, they should lead others in the general direction of the message they represent.

All of this is to say, while acronyms have their place, it is important for believers to remember their audience includes those who don’t know Christ, or who may be on the outside looking in.  Some people speak of “Christiainese”; the language Christians develop amongst themselves which is not always discernable to those who don’t attend church or move in Christian circles.  Our goal should always be to make our words understandable and clear, especially when there is a possibility those who don’t know the Lord are listening to or reading what we are sharing.   

I should add, if we are communicating with people who live in the world of acronyms, then perhaps they are the way to go! An example of this might be the vocabulary of text acronyms (and abbreviations) we use with friends via our mobile devices. 

Just remember, when people nod their head, they may not have a clue what you mean.  It’s a good thing Jesus used complete sentences.  Otherwise, we might be trying to figure out who the SOG was who told us to “Go and make DAN”, and to baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We might also miss the promise that Jesus will be with us to the VETA. 

CULTER!

Getting “Skunked” Could be Providential

When a fisherman spends a significant amount of time with his line in the water and doesn’t catch a single fish, he has been “skunked”.  I can’t say for certain where this label originated, but it likely reflects the feeling of having nature turn on you and the embarrassment of coming home smelling like a failure. 

I will do anything to avoid getting skunked.  If I don’t catch a fish, I will throw a small hook with some bait in the water in hopes of snagging a panfish.  At least then, when someone asks me if I had any luck, I can say, “Not much.  The little ones were the only ones biting today.” 

The Bible records a fishing trip where Jesus’ disciples were skunked, at least initially.  Soon after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, Simon Peter announced, “I’m going out to fish.”  Nathaniel, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were with him and responded, “We’ll go with you.”  They got into their boat, cast their net and caught nothing.  All night they caught nothing.  They got skunked!

But early in the morning, Jesus (whom they did not recognize) called out to them from the shore.  “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”  They answered “No”.  “Ha”! Jesus replied.  “You got skunked”!

No, Jesus didn’t say that.  Instead, he told the disciples to throw their net on the right side of the boat to find the fish.  When they did, they caught so many fish they were unable to haul the net into the boat.  At that point Peter recognized Jesus, proclaimed “It is the Lord”, and jumped out of the boat to begin making his way to shore.

If you are aware of this account, you may know it ended on the beach with Jesus resolving Peter’s earlier denial and reaffirming him as a key leader in the church to come.  This suggests the fishing episode was orchestrated by the Lord for the purpose of growing the faith of the disciples and providing an encounter with Peter that would allow him to move past his mistakes.  While some people might try to provide a rational explanation for the difference between one side of the boat and the other, I find it hard to believe the fishing nets were suddenly so full they couldn’t be lifted into the boat after the disciples had caught “nothing” all night; unless this was a miracle! Which it was. 

Could it be our Lord still works this way?  Does He sometimes “skunk” us so He can bless us, and build our faith in the process? 

I realize this opens up a theological can of worms.  Therefore, I need to make a few qualifying statements.  Sometimes there are ordinary reasons for seasons or events in our lives when our expectations are not met.  For example, if we are in a testing process to becoming certified for a career position, and we fail our test, we just need to keep trying.  We either need to study more or find coaches who can help us with the testing process.  But if we are determined to succeed, we shouldn’t give up.  In fact, some of the best career people are those who have had to overcome failure and adversity.  Does the Lord work in a situation like this?  Absolutely! He forms our faith and character and blesses us.  However, we should not assume the Lord caused us to fail. 

The truth is, we often don’t know why challenging circumstances occur in our lives.  We can say with certainty, if they happen, the Lord allowed them to happen.  And we can also confidently say He will work in them to bless us in some way.  But beyond this, only He knows for sure.

I will leave you to ponder these theological matters.  I wish to go back to the general idea of surviving our “skunkings” with the hope of the blessings we might experience in the future.  Here are some thoughts to help you as you process this reality:

Remember, one bad fishing trip doesn’t make you a bad fisherman.  I have been skunked lots of times.  One day my grandfather and I walked two miles to a creek hole with a bucket of minnows, only to discover the minnows were all dead by the time we arrived.  It was a bad fishing day! But we regrouped and went to another location on another day with some fresh minnows and caught some fish.  Life is full of disappointments, and the disappointments are proportionally worse in relation to the investments we make.  It is also true some seasons in life involve one disappointment after another.  But if we believe there is something we are called to do, and it is godly in nature, we will eventually be blessed.  Don’t give up if you fail to catch fish.  Go back tomorrow.

Fishing isn’t just about the fish.  If we go fishing, we want to catch fish.  And if you have ever fished with children, you know it is important to take them to a place where they can catch something or they may become bored and have a melt-down.  But I have enough experience fishing to know there are good days and bad.  As a result, I have learned to enjoy having a line in the water regardless of whether I catch a fish.  Do I enjoying fishing more when I catch a fish? Absolutely! However, I also enjoy being outdoors, hearing the sounds of wildlife, getting away from other stressors in my life and having time to think about any number of things.  In the same way, the time we spend investing and waiting on the Lord can be very fulfilling.  Through it, we learn lessons in patience and delve deeper into biblical truths while reflecting on our personal growth.  Some have told me they have felt closer to God when they were waiting for Him to answer their prayers than at any other time.  Again, it isn’t fun getting skunked.  But it isn’t a waste of time either, and when we learn to embrace our disappointments, we can redeem the time we mistakenly believe has been wasted.

Finally, getting skunked causes us to rethink our strategy.  When I don’t catch any fish, I take note of the time of day and weather conditions.  I consider what the fish might be doing or eating during that particular time of year.  As a result, I change my strategy.  I might even change locations, which is one way of casting my net on the other side of the boat.  In reference to our walk with the Lord, I don’t believe He expects us to keep trying the same thing without stopping to consider where there might be room for improvement.  Jesus needs followers who are always learning and thinking of better ways to carry out His work.  When it comes to our personal objectives, the Lord can help us learn from our mistakes and grow through our time in His Word and in prayer.  The catch of fish by the disciples was a miracle, but they did change what they were doing at the insistence of Jesus.  Had they ignored His advice and continued to fish on the same side of the boat, they would have remained in skunk mode.

I guess what I am saying is, we should not be overwhelmed when life turns against us, and we should not be afraid to go home when we have nothing to show for our efforts.  The truth is, a day of skunking might be just what we need to lead us to a blessing.

So, fish on my friends! Try to catch something, because getting skunked really isn’t what you are going for.  But when it happens, hold your head high and keep your sense of humor.  Believe me.  You rarely smell as bad as you think.