Author: Paul Nordman

Categories
Uncategorized

Called to Forbear

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:13 NIV

One of hardest things about Christianity is the whole “love one another” business. We endorse the noble notion, certainly — who wouldn’t? — but like so many lofty ideals, it is easier to affirm the concept than to assert it in the octagon cage match of life. And perhaps its most difficult application is with our fellow believers, for it is to each other that we make ourselves most vulnerable, and it is of each other that our expectations are highest. Then it is to believers that Paul writes, “Bear with each other . . .”1

What we need most to understand is that each of us in Christ is a work in progress. We all have “our thing” with which we struggle: it may manifest outwardly, like physical addictions or salty language; likely it roils even more so inwardly in the form of judgmentalism, grudges, pride, or the kind of fear that sends us scurrying back to the familiar rathole of “me first.” So, Jesus redirects all of mankind: “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”2 Don’t we have enough unfinished work inside ourselves than to kibitz about others’ shortcomings? And haven’t they enough troubles without us piling on? But I think even more to the point is this: When we see our own flaws and their far-flung dimensions in our life — and when we exasperate ourselves over our repeated failures — might we then view our brothers and sisters as fellow strugglers battling against temptations just as we are? We all are undergoing transformation into the image of Christ.3

So we are called to forbear, to extend the fruit of the Spirit — patience and self-control, in particular — to others as God conforms us to the image of his Son.4 Then may judging give way to understanding, accusation yield to intercession, gossip succumb to encouragement, and grievance bow to forgiveness. This is God’s higher way for us. May we walk in it.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”5 — Jesus

Father, we are lured to the ways that separate us from each other, but Your Spirit draws us to unity in Christ. Grace us to hear Your voice and choose Your path of forbearance and encouragement, that the body of Christ would flourish as one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

1 Colossians 3:13 NIV
2 Matthew 7:3 NASB (cf Luke 6:41)
3 2 Corinthians 3:18
4 Romans 8:29
5 Matthew 5:7 ESV

Categories
Uncategorized

Who’s Got Your Vote?

It’s that time again — election season, when yard signs pop up like autumn weeds and social media erupts in partisan shrill. I feel the apostle’s anguish: “Who will deliver me?” Seriously, has digital bombast ever altered your convictions? Likely, it deepens your resolve, instead.

Will our problems go away after November 5 (Election Day) or January 20 (Inauguration Day)? The honest answer is, no; in this world we will always have threats and calamity. Which gives rise to another question: Is one candidate better equipped than the other to handle emerging challenges? Most of us would say, yes, and God’s Word would confirm some leaders are better suited to the task than others. In Proverbs we read, “Wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.”1 Also, “A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.”2 (Yikes!) There are differences in leadership ability, so we do well to look beyond professionally crafted campaign strategies and to be realistic as to who is better equipped to lead us amid the treachery in our world today.

Perhaps you’re waiting for me to air my support of one political candidate over another. I have my convictions — my choice is clear — and I will express them in the election booth, moreover, voting early to do so. Regardless of whether my presidential candidate wins or loses, however, this I believe, and in this I place my confidence: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”3 Again, “Put not your trust in princes . . . in whom there is no salvation.”4 It is natural to look to God when election results disappoint, yet it is equally important, indeed vital, to run to Him when things go our way, lest we misplace our trust.

How we vote matters: as responsible citizens, we must seek and apply godly wisdom. In Whom we place our confidence matters even more, for only God is worthy of our trust. He’s got my vote. What about you, how will you cast your ballot? Where will you place your trust for good?

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” — Proverbs 21:1 ESV

Father, we are overwhelmed with all sorts of worldly influence, much of it true and much of it false. We are tempted to vote by our worldly identity instead of Your heavenly wisdom. Send Your Spirit to guide us in Your ways and to draw us to Your throne. You and You alone are King, our Leader forever. Amen.

1 Proverbs 28:2 NLT
2 Proverbs 29:4 NLT
3 Psalm 118:8-9 ESV
4 Psalm 146:3 ESV

Categories
Uncategorized

Tending to Our Corner of the World

For years, and regrettably far too many of them, I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of human need. “It is unfixable,” I pondered, “There will always be poverty, exploitation, oppression, and abuse. No matter how I help today, there will certainly be as much need tomorrow, and likely more.” I was dispirited to the point of paralysis, donating here and there, yes, but always with a sense of resignation to a problem unsolved and the futility of my pittance. Didn’t Jesus say, “The poor you will always have with you”?1 “What’s the use?” I thought. “I can give them everything I have and change nothing but to join their ranks.”

Over time, it occurred to me the poor and oppressed might see things differently. Take the church in Macedonia, for instance. Despite their own “severe affliction” and “extreme poverty,” they “overflowed in a wealth of generosity”2 toward others in need. Paul marvels at the heartfelt zeal of this humble people, “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints . . .”3 To these eager believers, poverty was not a point to ponder but a reality to relieve. Now. No need to overthink it.

We all live in our little corner of the world, and it is here that Jesus, through His Spirit, stirs us, calls us, and leads us into action. Were we to let the enormity of global need paralyze us into inaction, need itself might be unmet in our so-called “sphere of influence.” So this is the lesson I’ve learned: Don’t worry about the big picture — God’s got that — but just act wherever and however He calls me today. That’s all He asks.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” — Isaiah 58:6-8 NIV

Father, You are good and Your ways are right. Keep me mindful of the need around me today — be it physical or spiritual — and show me what You want me to do. Move in and through me by Your Spirit. In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 Mark 14:7 NIV
2 2 Corinthians 8:2 ESV
3 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 ESV