Tag: A Word for Wednesday

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Beyond the Oasis of “Good Enough”

“Let us press on to know the Lord.” — Hosea 6:3 ESV

In my career, I was fairly adept at using Microsoft Office apps — Word and Excel, in particular. They brought efficiencies to work processes, depth and flexibility to analytics, and effectiveness to communications. But once I attained a certain proficiency level, I stopped learning. These applications contained much more functionality, which would have advanced productivity even further, but having navigated steep learning curves, and gaining much through them, I came to the alluring oasis of “good enough,” and there I rested.

I think the allure of “good enough,” or perhaps “close enough,” limits us in a spiritual sense, as well. For instance, we might draw near to Jesus for forgiveness and mercy, but distance ourselves beyond earshot of His command to forgive those who offend us. Though we plea God’s blessings for ourselves, our flesh would prioritize our personal comfort over His call to bless others. These are common temptations, and not new. Consider Paul’s appropriate chastisement of the Corinthians, “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”1 In this sense, we all sense that “good enough” is not good at all.

Then how do we move beyond the appealing oasis of “good enough”? How do we “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ”?2 How do we think and act like the “mature” — “straining forward to what lies ahead . . . [and pressing] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?”3 I think it comes down to relationship, and we are called to relate well. Relationships are not formulaic, of course, but here are some healthy characteristics.

Trust openly. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”4

Be honest about our sin. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts.”5

Accept God’s complete forgiveness. “Let us draw near . . . with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”6

Be devoted to prayer.7 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”8

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.9 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”10

Spend time with God. “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.”11

God calls us ever forward, far beyond our fleshy notion of “good enough.” Greater things await us. Let’s go.

Lord, lead us in love beyond immaturity, and draw us ever deeper into relationship with You. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 ESV
2 Ephesians 4:15 ESV
3 Philippians 3:13-15 ESV
4 Hebrews 10:22 ESV
5 James 4:8 ESV
6 Hebrews 10:22 ESV
7 Romans 12:12 NASB
8 Psalm 145:18 ESV
9 Colossians 3:16 ESV
10 Psalm 119:105 KJV
11 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV

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What’s in a Sigh?

“That wasn’t an ‘I’m tired’ sigh,” Peggy remarked as we drove down the interstate together, “What’s on your mind?” After 40 years of marriage, we know each other’s audibles, inaudibles, and everything in between. So I told her. “I’ve been thinking I’m much closer to the time I’ll see my father again than to the age I was when I lost him. [My father died close to 60 years ago, when I was a boy.] I wonder what it will be like. They say there is an intense feeling of love in heaven, so maybe all my human cares and questions will be gone. Then I think about having lived in my father’s shadow. Have I limited myself by my own thoughts? What is my calling now? And can I step into a new calling without self-limiting beliefs?” All this found expression in one big, wordless sigh.

The Bible articulates something we already sense inside, that “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now”1 and that “we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”2 The Greek word translated as “groan” here can also be translated, “sigh.” We live in a world marked with futility, injustice, persecution, and pain, so we sigh at what is, while longing for what awaits us. But here’s the thing: we don’t groan alone. Paul writes, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings [sighs] too deep for words.”3 The Holy Spirit in us intercedes for us; He prays on our behalf for needs we don’t even know we have. Moreover, it is He who takes the initiative to do so. Why would we ever doubt God’s love for us?

King David once relatably lamented in song, “my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing.”4 Yet God understands our troubles in this broken world even more than we do, and He will not leave us hopelessly mired in them. Instead, He promises a new life of liberty and joy: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”5

In the meantime, the Spirit sighs with us as He intercedes for us. Rejoice in this. Rest in this. We are not alone.

Father, we are overwhelmed at times by the challenges we know and the obstacles we sense but cannot articulate. Thank You for sending Your Spirit to intercede on our behalf with groans and sighs too deep for words. Lead us. We need You. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Romans 8:22 ESV
2 Romans 8:23 ESV
3 Romans 8:26 ESV
4 Psalm 31:10 ESV
5 Isaiah 51:11 ESV

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Freedom in Forgiveness

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12 KJV

There was some agitation in our small group, stemming from one person, who, critical by nature, carried a negativity, moreover the kind of person who is hard on others, yet soft on themselves. Privately, another small group member poured out his anger and frustration to me. It was easy to relate, for I was frustrated, too. When it was time to respond, I said, “We can’t let this divide us. We must forgive and be unified.” There was a pause, then my friend broke the silence, “I don’t know if I can. I’ve prayed about it, but I don’t know if I can.” I understood.

At times like these, I consider one of Jesus’ most convicting parables, “The Unmerciful Servant,” which is found in Matthew 18:21-35. Here, Jesus tells a fictitious story of a master who completely forgives a servant of an enormous, unpayable debt. Yet upon leaving, the newly liberated servant seizes a fellow servant who was indebted to him, but on a much smaller scale. Despite his co-worker’s plea, the one who had received forgiveness refuses to extend the same mercy to him. It is a powerful parable, and every time I ponder it, I realize this: No single person has ever offended me nearly as much as I, in my sin, have offended God. Not even close. So, if we are forgiven much, how can we not forgive others of less? Then, again, how can we?

I think it starts at the realization that our forgiveness is not merely a lofty concept or beautiful words on a page, rather, it is true. At great cost, our enormous, unpayable debt has been canceled; we need no longer live under its weight. In this we thrive. Consider the woman who had led a sinful life: as Jesus reclined at a dinner table, “she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”1 Note Jesus’ response, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”2 Did you catch it? Our ability to love as Jesus loves begins with the realization our sins truly are forgiven. Love then flows. And in this wonderful, liberating truth, we can “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”3 Forgiveness takes a decision, and as forgiven people, it is one we can make. Forgive, and thrive as one.

Father, thank You for forgiving my sins, the depths of which I cannot fathom. Fill me, Holy Spirit, that I in humility, gratitude, and joy may forgive others. In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 Luke 7:37-38 NIV
2 Luke 7:47 NIV
3 Colossians 3:13 NIV