Author: Paul Nordman

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All of You

“Prost!” we cheered, hoisting our mugs that Oktoberfest evening in Munich. It was the German version of its counterpart toasts around the world—“Cheers!” “Salute!” “Santé!” With that we clunked our mugs in unison (real mugs don’t clink), binding us together for a fun time of pretzels, hops, people and song.

In a far different place and time, gathering friends also lifted a cup. “Drink from it, all of you,” Jesus said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”1 He spoke of a true and lasting oneness, the universal bond of all who would rest their soul in Him. Still today, we celebrate “communion,” a gathering together of believers to participate in Him who unites us to Himself. But does Jesus’ church really worship as one, or have we let worldly disputes separate “all of you” into smaller subsets of “some of us”? It’s a rhetorical question; I think we know the answer. And gathering as a people divided is to commune “in an unworthy manner,” warns Paul; to do so is “sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”2 Peace is paramount to God.

So, what do we do? Certainly finger-pointing, hand-wringing and towel-throwing get us nowhere. I think a friend of mine, Michael Young, has an answer. Senior pastor of a largely African-American congregation, Michael convenes open town-hall meetings at his church, inviting community leaders with different vantage points—clergy, police, elected officials, business people—to share their thoughts and to listen to the collective hearts and voices of all gathered there. The purpose is not to assert one opinion over others, but to meet deeper needs: of hearing and being heard, of understanding and being understood, of airing perceptions and addressing misperceptions, of looking up from that which divides us and embracing the aspirations we all share in common—the desires of the soul only the Son of God can meet.

Oneness takes work. It calls us to humility, wisdom, perseverance and faith, for “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against … powers of this dark world and … spiritual forces of evil.”3 My friend has chosen to look up to Christ who unites us and stand with Him against the enemy who wishes only to divide and destroy us. His resolve silently begs the question of us, “What about all of you?”

Father, I’m far too willing to be one with you but divided from my neighbor. Give me the humility, patience and desire to unite with my brothers and sisters in Christ against any enemy who would separate us. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Christ in me is peace.

Read today’s Scripture in Matthew 26:26-30.

1 Matthew 26:27, 28
2 1 Corinthians 11:18, 27
3 Ephesians 6:12

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Safely Hidden

It’s a joke in our house—I’m just not good at surprising my wife. Once, I bought Peggy a bracelet for Christmas and hid it where I knew she wouldn’t find it. The secret would have been safe, too, except for the fact I was so pleased with my hiding place that, one day, I went to admire it … and Peggy found me there. Years later, we still laugh about it. The legend lives on.

Fortunately for the human race, God is better at hiding things than I am. In the Biblical context, a mystery is something knowable only by the one who initiates it and those to whom he chooses to reveal it. And before time began, God hid one mystery, in particular, in the safest place in the universe—He hid it in Himself, undiscoverable until the time of His choosing.1 When something is hidden in God, it’s hidden. What then could possibly be so important to God that He would keep it so secure? We are. For the mystery He eventually revealed was this: Jesus Christ living in us,2 freeing, saving and uniting forever all who would receive Him through faith.3

But why such secrecy? Why such drama? Again, it was for our own good and for God’s, for Paul tells us that if “the rulers of this age”—the spiritual powers of darkness—had understood the mystery of Christ in us, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”4 But for the hiding, the justice of God and the mercy of God would not have reconciled at the cross, and we would still be in our sin, separated forever from a holy God. As it is, however, “we may approach God with freedom and confidence,”5 for in Him and because of his wisdom, we are forgiven, reconciled, loved.

And in Him, we are eternally secure. How do we know? We have been “raised with Christ,” writes Paul, and our life is now “hidden with Christ in God.”6 And when something is hidden in God, it’s hidden.

Father, your wisdom is unsearchable, your power unsurpassable and your love immeasurable. I trust you. Send me and use me today in the complete confidence that, no matter what happens, I am safely and securely hidden in you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Christ in me is confidence.

1 Ephesians 3:9
2 Colossians 1:27
3 Ephesians 3:5, 6
4 1 Corinthians 2:8
5 Ephesians 3:12
6 Colossians 3:3

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What Makes You Sing?

Think about it for a moment, what makes you sing? Is it, for you, beautiful weather? Words of encouragement? The kindness of a friend? Or time alone, perhaps? A few years ago, I had to chuckle at the curious realization that whenever I accomplished a meaningful task, my inner satisfaction found outward expression through lyrics. (And seemingly random ones, at that!)

Does anything stir us more deeply, though, than those moments when we experience for ourselves that God is real, that He loves us, and His words are true? He shows up when all hope is lost, and our spirits are lifted by a promise fulfilled—“I am with you always.”1 We see change within that only God could have brought about, and we are relieved to know He’s not finished with us yet.2 A Scripture passage leaps off the page and into our soul, proving God’s word to be “alive and active,”3 much more than a worldview. The one we’ve been praying for comes to new life through faith in Christ, and we can almost hear the “rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”4

These are the epiphany moments of truth, when we realize God is who He says He is, that He is faithful and His promises sure. So, Paul guides our thoughts: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”5 For these things of God are too powerful to contain, too mighty to suppress. We shouldn’t be surprised when they spring our silence into song.

Father, incline my heart to your Spirit, that I would overflow with joy at the thought of your faithfulness and the knowledge of your goodness. May my life bring you glory today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15, 16).

Christ in me is confidence.

1 Matthew 28:20
2 Philippians 1:6
3 Hebrews 4:12
4 Luke 15:10
5 Philippians 4:8