A Rustic Symphony

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee…”—Phillips Brooks

Every night on my way home from work at this time of year, I used to pass a festive lawn display in Goffstown that was the ultimate in diversity and inclusion. One year, at the center of it all was the traditional Nativity scene of Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph. But then they were surrounded by Santa and his sleigh, Rudolph, angels, The Grinch, the wise men, elves, old-fashioned carolers, sheep, Frosty, the obligatory pink flamingo lawn ornament, and Kevin from Home Alone.

Invariably, at the end of the day, I needed that smile or good laugh as I drove by. It reminded me to leave the workday behind and not to take everything so seriously. “Lighten up, exhale, and be grateful for life and breath.”

That lawn display is in stark contrast to the simplicity of the one at home under the tree, where all of the pieces are fixed in place, with the exception of the removable angel over the manger who the kids named “Gloria.” I like that Gloria is removable. It reminds me that angels and God’s presence go wherever I go.

I also like how the scene is either before or after the visit of the shepherds. Silent night. I like how unlike many Nativity scenes, there are no wise men with their camels and unusual gifts; as it should be, since they apparently didn’t arrive on the scene until several months (or years?) later.

I like how there is only one animal — the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world — resting at Jesus’ feet.

I like the sense of the thunderous silence and a million thoughts that must have been running through Mary’s and Joseph’s heads in this rustic atmosphere that fueled a gigantic, symphonic celebration in Heaven.

I like that Mary is on her knees with hands outstretched, maybe pondering in her heart the hopeful words of the angel: “You will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:31-32). And Joseph with his hand over his heart, perhaps remembering the fear of hearing Mary’s pregnancy news and pondering divorce so she wouldn’t have to face public disgrace (Matthew 1:19), and yet grateful beyond words that he got the same message from the angel as Mary: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21-22)

"What child IS this?!"

And even Jesus, with tiny hands upraised. A baby’s cry? No doubt... the Word became flesh, after all. But maybe also this promise of comfort and joy: ”Here I am. I have come to do Your will.” (Hebrews 10:9)

Most of all, I like this different nativity that brings a different kind of smile, realizing that each character in it is worshiping, and remembering that worship and trust in the everlasting God means it’s not contingent upon being in a good mood or when you have everything figured out, but just as needed and appropriate and powerful in the midst of life’s questions and uncertainties. Maybe more so.

I still enjoy a belly laugh from things like that crazy holiday display. But just like Mary and Joseph with their hopes and fears, the old Nativity under my tree is a reminder that it’s OK to admit that some things are beyond figuring out, that Christmas means it’s good and healthy to be real before God, to embrace the mystery of all mysteries, to believe once more, to sing “Glory in the highest!” with Gloria the goes-everywhere angel...and to live to worship in every season, long after the tree comes down and the decorations get boxed up for another year.

"We live in a world full of sin and hurt and sadness and confusion; the gospel answers all of it, but it doesn't twinkle it away like pixie dust...The hope of the gospel is not clarity in our confusion, but the knowledge that God is at work in spite of the fact that we don't understand what He is up to."  

Jonathan Rogers, review of Andrew Peterson's 'Light For the Lost Boy’

Updated from original, 12-22-19

Taking it Personally

 

“Host of Angels,” Mike Moyers @fineartamerica.com

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."—Luke 2:11

Variety may be the spice of life, but we humans also tend to like the comfort of predictability and routine. The holidays can be like that. You can get into the usual roll and flow of the season and find yourself doing the usual things out of the usual habits because it’s what you usually do this time of year. Even reading or hearing the Christmas story. I can’t tell you how many times I have passively observed those familiar words from Luke in the usual way, almost like watching TV, and thinking the angel is talking to shepherds from long, long ago—definitely someone else, but certainly not to me. It’s like watching a nice, nostalgic story unfold about somebody else, even though I know deep down inside it is still true and somehow relevant beyond what my eyes and ears are telling me.

But put down the remote for a second and jump into the story.

“Wait, what?!” It’s OK. Jesus said it is good: “The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you.” (John 14:25, Voice). And when you put down that passive-observing remote and choose to jump into His-story, everything changes...

“For unto you is born…”

Take it personally, and remember that despite our TV, video, phone-scrolling world, we were never meant to be spectators who merely observe and “Like” something told to shepherds we don’t know, but to be active participants in the greatest Story ever—right in our own little corner of the world.

“For unto you is born…”

Take it personally, and remember that the Christmas story of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men and angels isn’t just a seasonal feel-good story or just an amazing moment in history to simply nod our head at every December. Instead, it’s an astounding invitation to (re)open the extraordinary gift of life God has given:

“For unto you is born…"

• To receive…unfailing Love, amazing grace and forgiveness, a Hope that does not disappoint because His Love has been poured into our hearts, and mercies that are new every single morning.
• To believe…because unlike any other person in this world, His promises never fail and His tongue never lies.
• To serve and give with heaven’s Love…Yes, serve Him of course, but especially others—including something our self-centered flesh constantly kicks and screams about: “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, New Century)
• To follow in the footsteps of the One born in a manger, Who did amazing things while walking the earth, Who was crucified on a cruel cross for every sin we could ever do or imagine, Who rose triumphantly from the dead and lives to intercede for us today and forever…

…”He died for all so that all who live—having received eternal life from Him—might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them.”

—2 Corinthians 5:15, Living Bible

That’s world-changing stuff right there. Even if it’s just our little corner of the world.

And it is never too late to start.

All it takes is to “stop watching TV” and take it personally...and jump into the Story.

“What more do you need if indeed you know Christ, if you walk by faith in God, and by love to your neighbor doing to him as Christ has done to you? This is, indeed, the whole Scripture in its briefest form: That no more words or books are necessary, but only life and action.”—Martin Luther

Uncommon Sense

“Common sense is not always common practice.”—Stephen Covey

Mary looked at her humble teenage self and wondered how in Heaven and on earth what the angel of the Lord said to her about being the mom of the Messiah was going to come to pass. But against all common sense, she trusted and obeyed. (Luke 1:38)

Joseph looked at his awkward, potentially scandalous situation as an unwed father-to-be and figured he had to do the right thing and break it off with Mary quietly. But against all common sense, when an angel of the Lord in a dream told him to do otherwise, he trusted and obeyed. (Matthew 1:24)

The shepherds looked at their low standing in society and wondered how and why an angel of the Lord and a bunch of His holy companions would bother speaking to them in the first place, and especially about the birth of the Savior of the world in a town nearby. But against all common sense, they trusted and obeyed—they went, they investigated, and they testified while praising God for it all. (Luke 2:15)

This is why I love the Christmas story. It’s not quaint and cute. It’s regular people facing incredibly stressful or unbelievable situations that pit their common sense against the unshakable Word of God. It screams, “Are you kidding me?!” There is a familiar Christian slogan that says “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” It sounds like the right thing to say, but it’s not honest. Truth be told, we can relate more to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, who might say it should read: “God said it, I’m not sure if I get it, but I’m swallowing hard and going for it because God said it is so.”

Sometimes, we want God’s Word to say something that it is not saying or meaning. The trigger is often when there is mystery in God’s Word, or when God is or seems silent on a specific matter or situation in our lives. We want answers and an explanation for everything. The paradox of this Walk is that it is not to be done foolishly or blindly and that God wants us to search the scriptures to see for ourselves what He is saying, to seek Him beyond the words in print. But at the same time, even if and when we still can’t see clearly, He calls us to do so with this in mind:

“And God said…and it was so.” 

It’s no coincidence that, depending on what version of the Bible you read, those words are mentioned seven times in Genesis 1—almost as if God put them there for us as a One-a-Day vitamin reminder. The response by Mary, Joseph and the shepherds to what the Lord said versus what they could see in front of their eyes, is great encouragement to keep trusting and obeying with all wisdom in a world that is screaming at great volume to do otherwise.

And when in the presence of the Promise—the Messiah, the Child in the manger on a cold winter’s night that was so deep—Mary, Joseph and the shepherds did one more thing of great encouragement: even though they did not have all the answers to their questions, they worshiped. “And God said…and it was so.” Sometimes, worship is giving praise and all our heart while being moved to respond in a church service. But sometimes in the day-to-day grind of life, real and deeper worship is simply walking and trusting and resting in the acknowledgement that “God is God and I am not,” and that is all I need to know. It’s…

“…the attitude of being content not to pry into what God has chosen to keep secret but to live by what one has heard Him say. Reverence includes unwillingness to go a single step beyond what scripture says. When we reach the outer limits of what scripture tells us, it is time to stop arguing and start worshiping.”—J.I. Packer

Down in My Heart

“The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy; my soul shall dive therein…”—Charles Haddon Spurgeon

What do we do with the word "joy"? There must be something important and good about it in God’s eyes because joy is mentioned more than 200 times in some translations of the Bible.

But well-meaning Sunday School teachers and authors down through the years have made it sound like joyful Christians are to be serious-faced about God’s joy, and have said not to confuse natural happiness with joy because happiness is a fleeting emotion—it comes and goes. Only joy lasts. On that last point, there is Truth. But on the whole, this handed-down teaching needs revisiting because the root words for joy in both the Hebrew and Greek do not imply serious-faced expressions and lifestyles at all, but instead speak of an inner happiness or gladness that cannot be contained or deterred. 

And if you’ve experienced that kind of joy, you can’t really explain it, but you know it's true.

It’s better than the fleeting joyful feeling of getting a new car or going on vacation because God’s joy (or, joy in God), is rooted in knowing that no matter the ups and downs of life, if you have Jesus, you have everything, and He will never abandon you and He loves you through the ecstasies as well as the hells of life. And most of all, because unlike any other god, our God is not dead but fully alive and reigning still and forever over this crazy world in ways that are totally beyond our imagination or understanding. And not only that, He is interceding—praying—for us all…the… time. (Hebrews 7:25).

And oh yes, His joy is unspeakable because unlike that new car, He never rusts or breaks down, and unlike that vakay, you never need a reservation to be with Him.

And that’s only a glimmer of what joy in the Lord looks like. Or, it’s about all our (my) feeble brains can handle at one time. But somehow you know and believe that there is so much more depth, width and height to the kind of happy joy God is talking about. I’m thinking of that campfire song right about now: “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where?…” Deep down. Just as Spurgeon says.

I was thinking about that when putting up the tree yesterday, and of all the lights and shiny objects, one three-letter word (pictured) was magnified….

Remember, the Word shouts: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice!”

But look at our world—there isn’t much to rejoice about. Joy to the world? Really?

And what about all the hurts and pains that have somehow concentrated in Decembers past? Joy to the world? Really?

The Word shouts louder: Remember to live each day not through your lens but through Heaven’s lens. Remember…

“Be full of joy always

Because you belong to the Lord!

Again I say, be full of joy!

And let all people see how considerate, compassionate, unselfish you are.

The Lord is coming again soon!

Do not worry.

Learn to pray about everything.

Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.

The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:4-7, New Life Version

Our problems and painful memories may be real, in December and the other 11 months as well, and many are no laughing matter. But that little three-letter decoration is a loud reminder that the Word of God has never failed and won’t stop now: the joy of the Lord is indeed our strength still, and very deep and very wide, no matter what. It's all about choosing to look through the right and heavenly lens…

…“Begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care — all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.” 

— A. B. Simpson

Thankful

Photo: Hannah Skelly @unsplash.com

"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything."—Thomas Merton

Outside, the air was November-brisk. Inside, all was warm with good food, conversation and gales of laughter. Friday was another wonderful Friday night in my little hometown. Until I suddenly realized it was more than that.

I think I first noticed it when the happy vibes of the restaurant became so vibey that our server had to lean in to hear what we wanted to order. And to the left, a large table of friends had gathered to happily celebrate someone’s special occasion, although I couldn’t tell what exactly. It didn’t really matter. What struck me was…a sudden wave of thanksgiving, gratitude and an answer to a strangely-worded prayer. It wasn’t all that long ago, really….

…While taking an evening walk in my little hometown in late March of last year, I remember being so struck with the sadness of seeing neighbors avoiding one another and crossing to the other side of the street when they saw you coming. Everything was on COVID lockdown and safety awareness. No dining out, no gathering with friends at the game or in church—for days, for weeks, and sometimes for months—and every feeling within had a very deep, mournful “this ain’t right” sigh to it. And I remember writing afterwards: 

“I want my community back—my hometown and its neighborly sidewalks, my co-workers, my friends at Nonie’s and at church….When this is over, I know there will be nothing sweeter than being able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hometown crowd cheering and shouting at the basketball game, or…

...going to the loudest restaurant I can find just so I can hear people laugh with one another…”

 

And here it was! It had happened! This thing may never be fully over, but we have come out on the other side after all. And not only that,  just as I strangely prayed, I got to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hometown crowd cheering and shouting at a soccer game (basketball hasn’t started yet), and now here I was delighting in “the loudest restaurant I can find just so I can hear people laugh with one another.”

What seemed impossible 18 months ago, and even only dimly possible this spring, all came together in thankfulness in that hometown restaurant on Friday night. And those sidewalks of avoidance? They have been replaced by friendly nods or a “hello!” (miracle alert—New Englanders just don’t do that), and while there are still face coverings, there are more frequent unveilings of  “hey, I remember you now!” smiles of neighbors and friends.

The meal and service and friendship in “the loudest restaurant I can find so I can hear people laugh with one another” were fantastic. But the best part may have been the Thanksgiving take-out menu I reminded myself to carry with me this week and all the other weeks to come, to remember to be thankful for all blessings huge and small, and especially to remember the Source of them all…

…Thank You that “I lay down and slept safely; I awakened, for You sustained me.” (Psalm 3:5)

Thank You that no matter what the headlines say, “This is the day that You have made, so I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Thank You for family, friends and the air I breathe, that You alone “give life and breath to everything, and satisfy every need.” (Acts 17:25)

Thank You that no matter what others may think of me or what I think of myself, that in Your eyes, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

Thank You for the “incredible quality of love You have shown to us, that we would be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!”  Wow. (1 John 3:1)

Thank You that even on those days when I feel alone—even in a crowd—I’m not because Your name is “God with us” and You have promised “never will I leave you, never will I abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Thank You that though truthfulness is lacking in a big way all around us, I know I can trust You because “it is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18)

Thank You that in a world with too much deception and lack of integrity, You alone are “not a human who changes his mind. Whatever You promise, You do; You speak, and it is done.” (Numbers 23:19)

Thank You that no matter how chaotic and out of control this world may look, “The earth belongs to You, and everything in it — the world and all its people.” (Psalm 24:1)

Thank You for the reminder that being thankful “strengthens my faith.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

And thank You especially that no matter what, You never quit on anything or in the midst of any bleak situation, that “You are good and Your love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.—Meister Eckhart

Parable of the Faithful Usher

(Photo: Karl Fredrickson @unsplash.com)

"... Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.—Philippians 2:4, Passion Translation

There is a Love story out there that’s always waiting to happen. Not the boy meets girl kind, but the one in which one preoccupied self meets another preoccupied self, and God shows up with the thunderous cheers and applause of heaven. It’s a Love story that doesn't make the headlines of social media or the society pages of the local newspaper. In fact, while it is happening, the two parties don’t even realize that it is Love, only a wonderfully strange, undefinable sense that whatever it is is right and very good, and not of this world.

Around here, those kind of Love stories waiting to happen can be especially difficult. There will always be the one preoccupied self who though not hard-hearted or cold is so focused on what needs to be done on their “to do” list that they seldom look up until it’s done.

Just about everyone, at one time or another, has owned that t-shirt.

But then, the other preoccupied self is so private, so not wanting to bother anyone with their troubles and worries big or small, that they think it a sign of strength and New England ruggedness to keep it to themselves.

Quietly, and deep inside, though, are a thousand letters they’ve started writing with shaking hands and both a shaky and screaming voice to God wondering out loud, “does anybody really care…really? I mean, everyone’s got their own life to worry about.”

Just about everyone, at one time or another, has owned that t-shirt, too.

But even around here, the idea of the two coming together is not so far-fetched. Consider, the Parable of the Faithful Usher… 

….There once was a faithful usher, a servant of the church, who loved God much. He was always very busy trying to do good, doing lots of church stuff. For several months, the usher made it a point to go greet and shake the hand of someone new, someone visiting, and a particular man who always seemed lost in his thoughts or disconnected in some fashion. The faithful usher observed that the man mostly kept to himself but still seemed to enjoy being at church. For months, the faithful usher would smile and say “good morning!”, and for months the seemingly disconnected man quietly responded, "thank you, good morning to you, too." Then the faithful usher would go on with his ushering, and whatever else it was he felt he had to do and see to help keep the church running smoothly. But then one week, when the faithful usher said the same “Good morning, and how are you?,” the Love story-in-the-making greeting dance took on a different flavor. The seemingly disconnected man replied, "Are you just being friendly or do you really want to know?" The faithful usher smiled, but he was also set back on his heels, because the disconnected man was right—and he wondered if, just maybe, it was Jesus in disguise asking: "are you too preoccupied with your own little world to hear what is weighing down and preoccupying the world of a brother? You've got time to listen and to be there. Will you?” And the faithful usher gladly stopped being busy doing good and did something much better—he took time and listened, he cared, he prayed on the spot... and as he left, somewhere angels were singing. Real Love was in the air everywhere....

“As He saw many people, He had loving-pity on them. They were troubled and were walking around everywhere. They were like sheep without a shepherd.”—Matthew 9:36, New Life Version

The Parable of the Faithful Usher is a Love story Jesus is always wanting to bring about, if only we will pay attention…and follow through. He alone is the Light of the world, but His light was always meant to shine brightest through all who believe in His name and seek to follow. It’s not just any kind of Light, either. It’s the kind of Light where our Sunday-best worship is supposed to have “feet on” and not left behind as we head out the door. It’s the kind of Light where the most effective ministry methods aren’t always preaching, programs, or about being busy doing church “stuff." And especially, it’s not about waiting for the perfect moment and mood.

"Do you really want to know?"

Sometimes, in His footsteps, the Light we need most for a Love story that really matters is to be willing take a few minutes to listen (and be slow to offer advice), pray, and let God take it from there.

"Ministry...is simply loving the person in front of you. It's about stopping for the one and being the very fragrance of Jesus."—Heidi Baker

(Originally published August 19, 2018)

You Can Take It With You

(Photo: Anna Earl @unsplash.com)

Not every little kid’s experience is the same, but when it was Sunday morning back in the day and I knew the family would be going to church, I kind of looked forward to it. Even though I didn’t understand most of it and was bored by a lot of it, there was something that felt…good. It might have helped that there was always juice and cookies afterwards. Or that sweet old ladies would sneak pieces of candy into my hand during the sermon. Or that I just loved to hear a bunch of people singing. The best part, of course, was always when it was over, and being with family and enjoying Sunday dinners.

Fast forward many decades, and though I now “get” what going to church is all about and love being there for many better reasons than juice and candy, when it’s all over is no longer the best part. In fact, it’s a weird part. It has nothing to do with the fact that family has moved on or “graduated” and with it the Sunday dinners. Instead, there’s this strange emptiness that happens each time when I head out the church doors toward home. “That’s it? It’s over?”

Of course, the answer is "No, and no." But maybe it’s because it can be too easy to compartmentalize Sunday mornings into what the sermon was all about or to the 20 minutes or so of singing. And that is definitely part of it, but I think Jesus would be the first to say that it’s far from the complete picture. I was reminded of that this week when re-reading a social media post written earlier this summer by my coffee-loving friend and fellow worship leader Daniel Miller, who lives in southern Connecticut with his beautiful family. He doesn't just live there. He worships there beyond music and Sunday mornings. It’s been a reminder that while “going to church” is indeed something to look forward to, Sunday mornings are meant to be a launching pad and not a destination.

You can take it with you...

“Yesterday was a special day.

I did a simple thing but it gave me joy.

Serving coffee to people I love.

First with my church community and then at an anniversary celebration with my childhood church.

Lots of happy and caffeinated people.

Some I just met, others have known me for my whole life.

It’s strange but the feeling of satisfaction from serving iced coffee on a hot day was on par with the feeling of preaching or leading worship.

I think that’s the point. It’s a type of offering.

Connecting the things we do regularly to the way we were designed and then looking up in worship.

There is something about seeing all of life as a cohesive and uninterrupted song.

Sometimes I pick up on this subtle melody, and other times the sound is muffled by my frantic activity, seeking to prove myself, unaware of the unforced rhythms of Grace playing around me.

And then there are moments like yesterday, where the cacophony becomes a distinct melody.

I hear it on the face of the person serving coffee with a smile.

It’s present as the young mom is excited we have oat milk as an option.

When a person takes a sip and has a smirk on their face afterward.

As someone takes an extra cup home to enjoy afterward.

But oh that’s so silly Daniel. Theologizing about coffee.

Isn’t that the point of worship?

Orienting our whole lives to see God at work so we can then begin to proclaim his worth?

If I can’t see Jesus at work in the grinding, brewing and serving then how can I see him on Monday morning when I don’t want to get out of bed?

Or the 3rd trip to the grocery store, when I’m already tired from the week because I forgot to get bread.

Worship is training our senses to see God in the everyday, not just Sunday.

It’s more mundane than it is extraordinary.

Sometimes it sounds like a low hum in the background, but the ability to hear and see God at work and then respond is not too far from any one of us.”

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.”—Romans 12:1, Message

 

Keep Going

This definitely was not my church. But the dream was vivid nonetheless…

It was in an unrecognizable room with a sea of unrecognizable faces, and our worship team was giving God praise and glory, encouraging as we always do those in the room to do the same. But as I looked out, my eyes were met with widespread unresponsiveness and indifference. Blank expressions. Everyone in this room just sat there. I can’t recall the song being sung other than it was a powerful truth about God. “What’s going on?…”

I was surprised at my response in the dream. In the natural, I think it would have been easy to become discouraged or to stop and move on to something else (or to just stop) or even become critical. Instead, there was a mysteriously strong sense within to ...

“keep going, keep going strong” 

...and I remembered looking at each blank-stare person with a smile as we kept singing that unknown song with the wonderful message…

I don’t know what happened next because, as is often the case with dreams, I transitioned into some other weird mish-mash scenario of random people from the past and present, barking dogs, jelly donuts, and being late again to that college course I kept skipping because it was too early in the morning.

The next morning, though, I couldn’t shake the picture of that sea of unresponsive faces. I “just so happened” to be reading a familiar scripture from the Complete Jewish Bible that “just so happened” to come to life: “But you are a chosen people, the King’s cohanim [a priesthood who devoted their lives first to worshiping God and then blessing the people with the overflow], a holy [set apart] nation, a people for God ’s possession! Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

It struck me as if for the first time that Peter is not addressing singers or musicians or even a worship gathering. He is declaring every believer’s new identity. As Jesus told His band of brothers in John 15:16: 

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you [right where you are], so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.”

That dream wasn’t just weird, it was a reminder: I may have many vocations or hobbies or interests on this earth, but I have one job, one purpose—to worship God with my life and live it out before others…whether anyone believes, responds, agrees or not. If “widespread unresponsiveness and indifference” happened to Jesus, why should I be surprised when it happens me? I’m betting that there will be variations on that dream many more times to come, because it is easy to just go on cruise control, and God’s call to obedience and faithfulness and spreading Love is relentless and passionate. In so many words, I hear Him say again to my heart that it was much more than a weird dream...

“Keep going, keep going strong...

...in your day to day comings and goings and doings and speaking and listening. Even if you don’t see any fruit right away (or even in this lifetime), just unresponsiveness or indifference, don’t ‘become discouraged or stop and move on to something else or even become critical,’

but keep carrying the Light within you.

I am with you and for you always.

And remember that the outcome is out of your hands anyway.

The results are always Mine…and in My timing. Never give up.

Never give up praising.

Never give up sharing and testifying and loving…and especially listening.

Never give up praying for that loved one or neighbor or friend or situation.

Never give up living the gospel as best you know how.

Keep going, keep going strong!…”

To all who come this way today, selah….

“To give your wholehearted commitment of undivided Love is your greatest act of spiritual worship, because it is the greatest thing God desires.”—Jeremy Riddle

Loving East Podunk

"It makes no difference who you are or where you're from — if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open…”—Acts 10:34, The Message

East Podunk. Translation: insignificant little town, in the middle of nowhere, hicksville, fly-over-country. There are a lot of East Podunks in New England, like Harts Location, NH and The Forks, ME, and the little town from which this is written and the town where I attend church. I haven’t been to every one of them, but all of the East Podunks I’ve ever visited are beautiful in their own way. Someone put some love into creating them, and all that is in them.

I wonder Who?

In her book, “Sam’s Secret Journal,” author Elizabeth Yates tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who heard his pastor say one Sunday that “mission” wasn’t some huge, mysterious, overseas word for a select few, but that each Christian, no matter their age, had a “mission of his own.” After chronicling in his journal a bunch of “if onlys…” — that he sometimes wished he was born into some noble family on a great estate, or had more talent or was better looking, he came to this conclusion:

“God must have put me where I am because He has work for me to do here, on my dad’s farm, in the town of West Amity, which is right in the middle of corn country.” And the rest of the book chronicles how even as a pre-teen young Sam set out determined to follow Jesus every day as best he could, right where God had planted him in East Podunk.

It’s easy to feel insignificant, inadequate for the task, or wonder how my little life matters in the Kingdom. And so I need to remind myself just about every day of Sam’s healthy response, and the scriptures they’re founded on:

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? …

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. … I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:13-16, Message

You and I may have been born in an East Podunk (be it town or big city neighborhood), grew up here, or moved here, but wherever here is or how you got here, here you and I are — here for a purpose. God loves our “here” wherever “here” may be. And He loves the people in our “here” and He cares about the hurts and needs in our “here.” Men and history may think they founded our “here” but God was “here” first, and He has never left. Never will.

Here, one day may blend into the next, and everything here seems to carry on as it always has, and life goes on and “what difference am I making anyway?,” but it’s good to remember that God is never in a hurry. “He isn’t really being slow about His promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But He is waiting, for the good reason that He is not willing that any should perish, and He is giving more time for sinners to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9, Living Bible).

Even here. Which could very well be why you and I are here —be it East Podunk or someplace more recognizable. That we might say with young Sam, “God must have put me where I am because He has work for me to do here” — whatever that may look like in word or deed, in public and behind closed doors, in prayer and hands-on ministry, in action or attitude, in loving our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. 

It all adds up, and it can all make a difference, even here, even in ways we may never see or know… 

“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Others have come before you. Others will come after you. But this is your day. If God's kingdom is to manifest itself right now, it will have to be through you. God Himself will not come to take your place. You are on a mission from God.” — John Ortberg Jr.