There’s nothing like the freedom of floating on the ocean. It’s beyond my ability to express the feeling of completely relaxing while the sun warms my face, and the water holds me up.
But…
Ocean water is not still. There is always movement in the ocean which means we will never stay in one place unless we do something to keep us in place. Even out in the deep, we will drift unless we attach ourselves to something immoveable.
That’s why George goes out with me as my “spotter” when I move out beyond the surf to float. Some days the ocean will pull me out until I’m way over my head. Other days it will push me back toward the shallows in the surf. Still others will pull me down the beach and into others. Hmmm…always to the east. I’ve never thought about that particular fact until just now. Anyway, you get the idea. I cannot float in place on the ocean.
I need a “spotter” when I drift into what creates danger for me or others.
George will usually give my ankle a quick tug. This causes me to look around and notice my surroundings. It reminds me to pay attention to where I am. It alerts me to my need for action.
Thinking about this reminds me of two spiritual truths:
Holy Spirit is my ever-present Helper; my “Spotter.”
Freedom doesn’t mean never having anything to do.
LORD, thank You for giving me Your freedom. Don’t let me abuse the freedom I have in You. I want to live my life resting in You but living with purpose. Holy Spirit, please don’t let me drift away from the Father’s place or purpose for me. Thank You for being my “Spotter.” Teach me to live in obedience even as I live in the freedom of being IN Christ Jesus. May His presence surround me and His face shine on me. And may others see and glorify the Father in heaven. Amen.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 (NLT)
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)
Baseball season has begun, and I’m a fan. More specifically, I’m a Washington Nationals Fan. I chose them as “My Team” back in early 2008 after we returned to Northern Virginia with plans to retire in the area. Our entire family are sports fans, but I’d never had my own team. I deliberately waited until we were settled in one place, but once chosen, I quickly began calling myself a Nats Fan.
Honestly, the Nats were hard put to win a game in those early years, but I didn’t care. We went to games or watched on the local station, MASN. I got to know the players and which positions they played. I cheered for them by name.
I knew how to cheer. I’d watched George and the children play enough softball and baseball games to know a lot of the proper terminology; pitcher, catcher, batter, baserunner, infield, outfield, umpire, bases, pitcher’s mound, batter’s box, dugout, etc.
What I didn’t realize was how much more there is to baseball than hit the ball and run the bases, or catch the ball and get the runner out. I didn’t grasp just how crucial it is for each player to do their part and only their part. I didn’t understand the importance of each position and the part each position played in the overall success of the team.
Yes, I knew playing well won games, but baseball requires all nine positions to play their part well. Starting pitchers can help you win, but they can’t win the game singlehandedly. They need teammates who are fielding hits and getting outs. They also need those same teammates to get on base and score runs. Clutch hitters need others to be on base in order for their hits to have maximum benefit. A grand slam only happens if the bases are already loaded when a homerun is hit.
All team members must learn and practice regularly the work of their position. The same is true of every Jesus-follower, and today’s Scripture addresses this type of teamwork in the church. Each part contributes to the success of the whole. No one position has more value because each position is needed. How do we know this? Holy Spirit wouldn’t give us our gifting for the body if the body didn’t need it.
The body is all Jesus-followers everywhere which includes the local church where we serve and worship. Reminder, the church is not the building; the church is the people.
Holy Spirit assigns us our position in the body. The position may change as the body changes but what is required of each position is to do our part. My part will support the other parts. If I try to do the part of another, I will neglect my part. Neglecting to do my part is disobeying the One who has given me my position in His body.
1 Take time this week to read the Digging Deeper Scriptures.
2 Set aside some time to do a Spiritual Gifts Survey (if you haven’t already). If it’s been a while, you may want to take it again. Ask Jesus to help you learn and practice using your gifts and playing your position well.
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
I recently received a gift from a friend which included a note about a conversation we were part of several years ago. The words of the note took me back in time and I once again felt the impact of truth shared that day. I felt the joy the conversation created in me all over again.
This was a timely reminder of something I needed to remember.
My thoughts influence my words!
Yes! All of my words! That’s a BIG reminder, right?!
The gift and note reminded me of a time when the words spoken were a blessing. But what about times when critical or careless words are spoken?
Have you ever been wounded by words?
Why? Because words reveal the thoughts of the speaker.
Have you ever wounded someone with your words?
I’m guilty! I too often find my mind returning to the same train of thought. I hop on and allow it to take me for a ride. Before I even realize it, I’m far from where I want to be. The train I’m on is affecting both my words and choices and bringing anything BUT benefit to me or those around me.
“insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results.”
This “definition of insanity” first appeared in 1981, in a document published by Narcotics Anonymous.
We must make different choices if we want different results!
Easy to know, but harder to do.
I have every intention of NEVER letting my thoughts return to the same old train, but I often find myself hopping back on and going for another ride.
But how do I stop? I’m learning I must…
1-Be alert to my train of thought and which direction it’s taking me!
2-Be ready to jump on another train of thought – immediately, without hesitation! This requires me to know which thought train I want to ride.
I don’t know about you, but I want my thoughts going in a direction that helps me speak words of life and healing to all who hear them!
We all live a life of influence, but …
What kind of influence are we?
Jesus Journaling:
1 Be aware which train your thoughts are riding.
2 Read Philippians 4:8. Begin memorizing one Bible verse at a time. Use those verses to redirect your thoughts when you find them going in the wrong direction.
3 Read Psalm 19:14. Make these words a daily prayer. Be alert to how the LORD uses your prayers to bring sweetness and healing into your relationships.
FYI: Although I know these truths, I still get on the wrong train of thought and allow my words to deliver hurt instead of healing. I’m praying the words of Psalm 19:14 for myself right alongside you!
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Today is our last look at Matthew 11:28-30, and our focus is on the yoke.
Quick Review…
Two weeks ago: Belonging to Jesus. He purchased us with His life, death, burial, and resurrection. (For more about belonging to Jesus, check out the link in green at the bottom of this post.)
Last week: Learning to Trust Jesus. Jesus teaches us to trust Him by being present, providing for our needs, and protecting us from harm. Trust in Jesus frees us from anxiety and fear.
Today: Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
An animal begins wearing yokes long before being required to do any work.
In the beginning, the animal only wears the yoke while learning to trust the farmer and his ways. The animal does no work.
People often measure their value by their accomplishments.
Belonging to Jesus and learning to follow His lead is not about accomplishments; it’s about relationship.
One animal will wear many different yokes during his lifetime.
Yokes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and weights. Yokes change as the animal grows and matures. Some yokes are single and some are double. Some are used in multiples of two and create a team. These pairings are chosen specifically for the work the farmer has for each animal to do.
People tend to struggle with change.
Jesus makes sure each yoke is individually fitted to us and the work He’s preparing us to do.
Change shows us Jesus is trustworthy, and our relationship with Him matures. We see Jesus using change to prepare us for what’s next.
A yoke, no matter how well fitted, will create pain for the animal who resists the leading of the farmer.
The same is true in our relationship with Jesus.
Resisting His yoke and His way for us invites pain and hardship to become our companions.
We’re choosing a yoke hard to bear when we refuse to wear the yoke Jesus has for us.
We’re heaping heavy burdens on top of what He’s created us to do when we seek validation of our value in works.
We’re exchanging His rest for the illusion of control.
Wait! Let’s save control for next week.
Between Now and Then…
1 Take time to just enjoy belonging to Jesus and being loved by Him.
2 Write a thank you note to Jesus.
3 Sing a song of praise to Jesus…or two or three or more.
LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!
This is one of the many great sites I found while researching “My yoke.” I didn’t even know there were living history farms, but I’m so glad there are! Training New Oxen (lhf.org)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Last week, we learned the rest Jesus gives us comes with a yoke. His yoke!
We also found out His yoke is only for those who belong to Him; those He paid with His own life to save.
His purchase was done not to possess us but rescue us. His motive was love, and comes with the security of belonging.
Belonging is only the beginning of our relationship with Jesus.
Remember us talking about the farmer and his yoke last week?
We put Jesus in the role of the farmer and ourselves in the role of the farmer’s ox. We did this to help us connect the message to us as Jesus-followers today.
Imagine yourself as the newly purchased animal. You’re a rescue. You belong to Jesus, but you don’t really know Him. You know what He’s done for you, but you don’t really have any intimate knowledge of Him and His ways…yet.
That’s what today’s portion of these verses is all about!
Jesus said, ” Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Let reminds us there’s a choice to be made.
let VERB
not prevent or forbid; allow.
oxford dictionaries – Bing Translator
There are a lot of choices to be made in our relationship with Jesus. Choices come with belonging to Jesus. Having choices is worth celebrating!
We all know someone who hurts themself (and others) with their choices. They refuse to listen and learn. They say things like, “You can’t tell me what to do!” or “That might work for you, but I’m not you.”
In 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote, “All things are permissable, but not all things are beneficial.”
This is speaking to those times when we hurt ourselves (or others) with our choices. Freedom in it’s truest sense is the ability to choose what is beneficial all the time. But how do we know what’s beneficial?
There’s only One Person who truly knows what the good and right choice is for all involved and at all times; His name is Jesus, God in the flesh!
But, if we’re honest, we often struggle over choosing right.
There are usually one of three reasons we struggle with choosing what’s right.
1…It’s not how we’ve always done it.
2…It’s not what we want to do.
3…We don’t trust the one telling us what’s right.
For some of us, it takes years before we’ll trust another person and believe they really have our best interest at heart. There are all sorts of valid reasons why we struggle with trusting others, but the truth is this…
Jesus always knows what’s right. Jesus is trustworthy. Jesus genuninely loves me (and you). Jesus always knows and wants what is most beneficial for us.
Okay, back to what Jesus was talking about in today’s verse.
A newly purchased yoke animal belongs to the farmer immediately, but doesn’t trust the farmer immediately.
Are you ready for this?
The good farmer knows the animal won’t trust him before he even makes the purchase.
Yes! He knows the animal doesn’t trust him. What does he do? He spends the entire first portion of their relationship caring for his new animal himself. He teaches the animal to trust him. He spends time with him, protects him, provides for his needs, uses a gentle touch, and speaks to him with kindness. He is patient and yet firm.
Over time, the animal learns to trust the farmer and recognize his voice. The animal willingly follows his directions and without hesitation; he trusts the farmer will not do anything to harm him. What’s the result of all this teaching?
The farmer has tethered his animal to him with trust.
tether VERB
tie (an animal) with a rope or chain so as to restrict its movement.
oxford dictionaries – Bing Translator
The animal’s trust in the farmer prevents him from wandering into harm’s way.
Do you see the spiritual parallel?
Isn’t it wonderful and exciting?
Our Jesus is trustworthy! He knows us. He understands our struggle to trust, but He is willing to teach us – if we will let Him.
We’ve been purchased and positioned for a purpose which requires training in trust. Will we let Jesus teach us to trust Him? If so, we will be refreshed!
Next week we’re going to take a look at how the farmer introduces his animals to his yoke while teaching them to trust him.
Between Now and Then…
1 Take time to evaluate your willingness to let Jesus teach you to trust Him.
2 Be honest about the times you struggle to follow Jesus, and admit those struggles indicate a lingering lack of trust.
3 Confess your struggles to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and remove anything hindering your ability to learn from Him.
LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!
Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Mark 15:12-14
When my sister was about six-years-old, she wanted a bunny bank for Christmas. This wasn’t just any old bunny bank. It was one that looked real; with a velvety coat and everything.
My parents bought it, put it inside a little purse they thought she would like, and wrapped it up. She was so excited about the present under the tree, but when she opened her present on Christmas morning everything changed. She didn’t see the bunny bank and started crying. My parents showed her he was inside the purse, but she never got over her initial disappointment. She refused to use the purse or the bank. She received two gifts in one, but she never enjoyed either.
I’m currently using the Chronological Life Application Study Bible for my daily Bible reading. This Bible puts everything in chronological order of events. That means I read all four gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry back-to-back. That was the first Palm Sunday.
We know the whole story, but the people celebrating on that first Palm Sunday did not. The excitement was high. Everyone was throwing palms and coats down for Jesus to ride through the streets of Jerusalem. They were celebrating His coming kingdom. Well, they were celebrating what they expected His Kingdom to be.
What were they expecting?
Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom that freed them from Roman rule.
What He gave them was so much more.
He took back His authority as King of heaven and earth, and He paid for mankind’s freedom from sin and death.
Their disappointment over dashed expectations turned their shouts of praise to angry rejection in a matter of days. They were soon shouting for Jesus to be crucified.
Reading this account repeatedly helped me realize we can do the very same thing. We can allow our expectations to cloud our ability to see God’s gifts to us. We too can put Him in the box of our own expectations.
Yes, we need to know what we want from the LORD, and we need to ask. His word is clear about the importance of asking for what we need and asking on behalf of others.
Let’s pause for a second and think about what is it we want the LORD to do for us. For a loved one. For our church family. Our country.
Now for the really hard questions…
Are we limiting God’s answer to only yes, no or wait? Are we unwilling for His answer to come in a different way than we envision?
Are we refusing to see the good things He’s doing all around us because He gives them in a different package than we expected?
Are we going to accuse Him of not loving us? Not caring about us? Being weak? Will we reject what He gives us unless it meets our expectations of what is right and good?
I hope not, because we will be missing all sorts of wonderful things.
Of course, the greatest gift He’s given to all people is the offer of citizenship in His heavenly kingdom. His kingdom is eternal and He’s paid the price for our sin so there’s nothing to prevent us from being citizens except our willingness to acknowledge Him as King of heaven and earth and our need for freedom from sin.
If you’re not yet a citizen of heaven, please do not reject Jesus because He does things differently than you would do them. There’s more on how you can become a citizen of heaven in the green section below.
If you’ve already received your heavenly citizenship, you cannot lose your citizenship! Once a citizen, always a citizen! But citizens can still miss out on the freedom and joy of living for and following Jesus.
We can refuse to see and receive what the LORD gives us. My sister was still my parent’s daughter and still part of our family, but she lost all her joy and was miserable all Christmas day and into the following weeks.
Jesus is the Creator and King of the world. He knows more than we ever will and His ways are far above anything we can ask or imagine. So let’s expect great things from Him, but…
Let’s be careful not to put Him in the box of our expectations.
LORD, You are all-powerful, good, kind, loving, and gentle. Thank You for making us Your prized possessions. Thank You for hearing us when we talk to You. Help us remember not to limit You with our understanding or reject the good gifts You give to us. Help us embrace the unexpected and open our eyes to see Your good gifts all around us. Soothe our hurting hearts when we don’t understand what You’re doing. Enable us to trust You more than our feelings or our limited understanding of what You’re doing.
Digging Deeper:
Isaiah 55:8-9, Jeremiah 29: 11-13, Matthew 22:1-11 & 27:6-15, Luke 19:28-40 & 23:13-25, John 1:1, John 12:12-19 & 19:6-15, James 1:16-18
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 (NLT)
Wow! This passage includes another reminder of the blessing of obedience, but it’s not where I want to focus today. Nope! I want to tell you what I’ve learned about the importance of checking the mirror.
Several years ago, I was given a physical understanding of this spiritual truth.
Back then, our daughter’s family lived in the area. It was convenient whenever I was going downtown because we got to visit before they dropped me at the Metro station for my traffic-free ride into D.C.. From there, it was a short walk to meet George at work. Then we’d stroll down the boardwalk to the baseball stadium.
This particular Friday, I was running behind for a date night ballgame. I pulled on a cute but cool skort, shucked my jersey over my head, brushed my hair in front of the bathroom mirror, grabbed up my bag, and dashed out the door.
Traffic on I-66 was thick, but I was pulling into our daughter’s driveway with plenty of time to spare. I parked, pulled out my lipstick, smeared some on, and leaned over to check my lips. The reflection in my rearview mirror brought tears of horror and self-annoyance to my eyes.
My morning had started out fairly routine. I ate, read my Bible, went for my morning swim, showered, slapped on moisturizer, and left it to “dry” while I did my chores.
Mind you, I never go out without the protection of foundation on my face. I especially don’t go on a date with my hubby without the added benefit of color. But today I’d looked into the mirror without seeing what the mirror revealed about me. I had never put on any foundation or color!
Thankfully, our daughter saved the day with the basics of foundation, blush, and mascara. Protection and color. Whew!
Okay, now that you’ve enjoyed a chuckle, let’s talk about why we look in a mirror. To see ourselves, right?
God’s word is like a mirror. It shows us the truth about ourselves. God is Creator! He’s the definer of truth. Jesus — God in the flesh — is Truth.
There are two ways I can fool myself when reading my Bible. Both leave me walking away unaware of what I look like in the mirror of God’s word.
One, I’m fooling myself when my mind is on something else entirely while reading my Bible. Like when I was brushing my hair and thinking about my need to get on the road. I totally missed what the mirror would’ve shown me; I didn’t have on my foundation and color!
Two, I’m fooling myself when I use the mirror of God’s word to look at someone else. George and I often stand side by side to brush our teeth. I usually spend more time looking at him than I do looking at myself.
Both are harmful when we’re looking into the Mirror of God’s word.
When I am not really thinking about what I’m reading, I don’t see my attitudes and choices through the filter of God’s word.
When I focus on others while I’m reading, I’m in danger of becoming critical, judgmental, and condemning of them and their choices.
Both leave me walking away deceived (fooling myself). Yes, I’ve read my Bible. Cha-ching! Check that off the list for today! But…
Bottom line?
It’s not enough to consistently read God’s word. I must do what He says is right or I’m just fooling myself!
LORD, thank You for the truth of Your word. Please don’t let me read Your word with half a mind. Please don’t let me deflect your truth toward others, but help me reflect Your truth through obedience. Do not let me fool myself, but walk in the freedom and blessings of obedience.
And LORD, for those reading this today, give them a desire to read their Bibles. Help them see themselves in the mirror of Your word. And protect them from the accusations and condemnation of our enemy. Thank You, LORD Jesus. Amen.
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28 (NLT)
George and I are loving the retired life. I’m especially enjoying all the together time and the conversations shared.
Just last week, George talked about some of the shipboard drills done while he was in the Navy. Specifically, he shared how the repeated practice of training replaces the natural fear and adrenaline spike of danger.
One drill is done blindfolded. Yes, blindfolded! It’s designed for those times when visibility is at a minimum or even non-existent. Times when there is a fuel oil fire or a loss of power. This drill is practice for a time of duress and darkness; it’s meant to help every sailor do what’s got to be done and find their way topside without injury.
Today’s verse reminds me blessings come from practicing what I learn from God’s word. Just like those drills prepare sailors for the troubles of shipboard living, I can practice what I learn from God’s word and be prepared for the troubles of this world. (Matthew 7:24-27).
So, if blessing comes from practicing what it says in God’s word, I say…
Let’s be diligent to read the Bible on a consistent basis. Yes, all of it. When we finish, let’s read it again. We can read it in whatever order we choose, but let’s be sure not to skip anything. Why? Because every word was inspired by God and was written with purpose (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Bible reveals who God is. The entire book is about Him. Yes, there are a multitude of other characters, but He’s the main character from beginning to end. His written word reveals Him and His ways. Who He is and how He thinks and acts and responds.
The word of God reveals those areas where we need more practice. It’s living and powerful and exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12).
And big praises! Jesus didn’t just tell us to practice what we learn from God’s word. No! He also gives every Jesus-follower a Helper (Holy Spirit). Holy Spirit understands what God’s word means and will help us understand and practice it too.
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
LORD, thank You for revealing Yourself in Your word. Thank You for Holy Spirit. Thank You for hearing me, forgiving me, and teaching me how to live a life of blessing here in this world of many troubles.
And LORD, thank You for each one reading this today. Give them a hunger to read Your word. Holy Spirit, help them understand what they read. Bless them as they practice living what they learn from reading Your word! Amen.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 (NLT)
I chose today’s verse because I felt like it was the perfect backdrop for what I’m sharing today. It’s a Facebook post written by my long time friend, Sarah Bramblett. Sarah and I met years ago in Iceland when our husbands were stationed at NAS Keflavik, Iceland. We haven’t lived in close proximity a lot since then, but for a short period of time our duty stations did a quick overlap in Virginia Beach. Fortunately, the world has become much smaller with the help of the internet.
Sarah is not only my friend, she’s an amazing woman. She’s a grandma now. She and her husband are currently taking flying lessons, so they can “go see the grandkid and kids” and her dad too. She’s smart, funny, and always learning. She’s a Jesus-follower who is always looking for ways to use what she’s learned to bring help and healing to those around her. No! She’s not pushy about it; she’s just super kind and compassionate. She’s willing to invest her time, energy, and resources to help anyone in need. She’s generous, but also wise enough to recognize when just coming alongside someone is all the help they really need. For more about Sarah, you can read her bio at the bottom of this post. And just in case you’re wondering, I did ask Sarah’s permission.
“Long post here…but I’ve had to take time to find what I want to say with the right words. I tried to be concise and not muddy the message. I suspect most, if not all of you, will feel about the same, but I wanted to say it anyway.
I want to share some things I’ve learned in life. Everyone wants to feel included and that they belong. They need to know they matter. When people don’t feel heard and understood, they repeat themselves – sometimes more loudly or aggressively, and often simplifying the message. The more important their view is to them, the more effort they will put into getting their message across. Being told “I heard you” only works if there is matching action. The listener does not have to agree, but they have to engage to let the speaker know they are being heard. They have to be “present”. This is the only way to let the speaker feel heard and that they matter. If this is not done, the connection and conversation cannot proceed – nothing will get resolved.
The current social tensions are just like this. Part of our people feel like they don’t matter to the other part of the people and that their needs to be included and belong are ignored. This is, literally, a life and death situation for them. Because it is important that the rest of the population hears and understands, they are getting louder, simplifying the message, and sometimes getting more aggressive in the delivery. This is to be expected in a life and death situation. The rest of the people need to not only hear, but engage with presence. Being present is listening, not challenging the message, confirming you heard and understood the speaker’s message by sharing your understanding of what you heard, and giving the speaker the right to express their feelings – even though it’s uncomfortable. Doing this does not take away your place at the table, it allows everyone a place at the table. It allows everyone to belong and to matter. It allows us all to de-escalate so we can connect and proceed. We need a collaborative discussion and focused problem solution to make sure that law breakers are still caught, but officers and civilians are not hurt, and no one is left feeling like they don’t matter. Because they do.
These are just my thoughts, based on what I know about people and how they interact. I don’t know anyone who is so ignorant as to say black people are not as valuable, or human, as white people, but I know several black people that would say they don’t feel safe, protected, or valued. That breaks my heart and I hate that I can see why. That means there is evidence in the world that their feelings are justified. I cannot change anyone else. All I can do is to add my voice to the call to find real, effective change and to make a space at the table on either side of me and be present.” -Sarah Bramblett
LORD, soften my heart to hurt when others hurt. Help me to cry over the things that make You and others cry. Teach me to listen, to quietly stand with those who are hurting, speak out against injustice, and freely offer hope to the hopeless.
And LORD, for those reading this today, please help them know just how much You love them. Help them know You didn’t make a mistake when You created them in their mother’s womb. They are fearfully and wonderfully made. And help those around them to see them as the beautiful, lovable, and valuable individuals they are. Thank You for making each one. Thank You for the unique harmony they bring to the music of life. Amen.
Sarah’s bio: Sarah grew up in a Christian military family. She has been married 28 years, raised 2 children, and is blessed to be a grandmother now. She was exposed to cultural diversity at an early age and it remained a way of life for her throughout her entire life. She has lived in 4 countries outside of the United States and learned to appreciate different values and cultures. She was truly surprised at the differences when, after her husband retired from a military career, she moved away from the “military towns” she had always lived in and ended up in a place where there was very little diversity. She became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2008 and has worked with a multitude of different families and individuals, finding ways to help them resolve problems through developing insight, increasing communication skills, and growing deeper connections with themselves and others. There is so much that goes into each person’s and each relationship’s development, but ultimately, it comes down to people knowing they are not alone, that someone cares, that someone is with them in their struggles and their joys.
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 (NLT)
This verse captured my attention several weeks ago and I’ve been praying over myself and those I love ever since. It immediately follows another verse I pray over myself, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
When read in context, it’s easy to understand the only way I can commit everything I do to the LORD is to delight in Him above all others.
The only way my desires are going to be desires I can ask the LORD to fulfill are the desires He has given me.
When I’m delighting in the LORD, I will ask Him for things He wants to give me. I’ll ask for things that please Him and bring about good in the lives of others and myself.
When I’m delighted in the LORD, I will desire to think, say, and do the things that are pleasing to Him. I will be committed to Him and His ways. I will trust Him and His timing. I will trust Him.
There’s a song our oldest granddaughter shared with me almost a year ago. I love the words, the tune is catchy, and I’ve realized it is speaking this same reminder…
It’s a reminder to commit my way to the LORD and never look back. I’ve included a link at the bottom of the page. If you have a few minutes, take a listen. The words are in the video. I hope you enjoy it.
LORD, I want everything I do to be an intentional choice to follow You and your ways. Help me to delight in You above all others, so I will desire those things that please You. May my confidence be in You alone, so I will trust You above all others and follow You without hesitation.
And LORD, for those reading this today, I ask You to give them a fresh new delight in You. May they commit all their ways to You and willingly follow You all the days of their lives; no hesitation, but complete trust. Amen.
