Tag: Paul Nordman

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The Winner Is

As I write, the 2020 presidential election has been “over” for several days—sort of. Counting starts and stops; ballots appear and disappear; allegations summon judicial review. How ironic, then, that Americans who have been increasingly divided from a political perspective now find ourselves in the same position—suspicious, restless, hopeful, doubtful, and seemingly powerless. Moreover, the agita we share for this brief moment is not over some minor issue, but the critical matters of who will lead us forward and in what direction.

Then imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples during the empty three-day expanse between crucifixion and resurrection. He who you thought to be your Messiah is gone from your midst, and you have no idea where to go, what to do, or even how to survive in your leaderless world. Those of you who remain are gathered together “with the doors locked for fear”1 of the persecution that surely awaits. Even when several women come with news of your leaders’ empty tomb and an angelic encounter there, the report seems “like nonsense”2 in your state of despair. But then what was it the angels said to the women? “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you . . .”3 It is enough to stir hope in at least one of you—Peter ran to the tomb and found it indeed to be empty, but “went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”4 Being without Jesus is not what you wanted, and resurrection is still a mystery. But these three days of not knowing are something you’ve endured together, a shared experience that ultimately strengthens bonds and builds faith.

As our election results solidify, some of us will go forward in joyful celebration, and others of us in utter devastation. Yet we must remain united in this: We look to the risen Messiah in a Kingdom not of this world. If our political candidate lost, it still remains true: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”5 And if our favorite candidate won, we must all the more look to Him who is our rightful King, for even those who espouse our views are deeply flawed people. Instead, may this be our hope: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”6 God is sovereign. Christ is Lord. He lives in us. We have won.

Father, You reign over all, and our hope is in You. Send Your Spirit, that we would fix our eyes on You and follow as You lead us today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

1 John 20:19
2 Luke 24:11
3 Luke 24:6
4 Luke 24:12
5 Proverbs 21:1 ESV
6 Psalm 121:1-2 ESV

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To Be One Again

One-year-olds bring their own brand of entertainment to Christmastime. We place before them armloads of presents adorned with paper and bows, then we patiently watch them (and then impatiently help them) meander their way through the giftwrap to the treasures inside. When they finally free their presents from their colorful confines, what do these little ones do? They play joyfully and contentedly with the paper, package, and bow! If young parents would just hand them a cheerfully decorated box, they would save a whole lot of money and their tiny tots would be every bit as happy. I say this in jest, of course, but there is a life lesson to be gained from these youngest among us.

In the greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus taught the gathered crowd, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [life’s necessities] will be added to you.”1 Now, I must confess that for most of my life I naturally regarded this verse from the perspective of “all these things” inside the box. I “sought first,” of course, but the “added to you” was more of a motivator than perhaps it should have been. True to His word, God has always provided whatever I have needed, and I have been genuinely grateful along the way. Yet with age, I find myself returning to my one-year-old roots, captivated by the package itself: the bright “paper” that is God’s rule in the heart and the “ribbon and bow” of the righteousness—the right standing before a holy God—that Jesus gifts to us. The necessities of this life will be important as long as we are here, but the horizon seems nearer now, and these things that last forever shine brighter in its light. It’s a beautiful thing.

Where do we find true contentment, in things, or in open conversation with God? Where do we find true peace, in endless lists of dos and don’ts, or in entrusting our entire self to the life and love we find in Christ? Which is more deeply satisfying, the necessities of life—the things inside the box—that appear when we need them most, or the personal love and care of the God who provides them through the means of His choosing and to our humble delight? Don’t the eternal things that satisfy most deeply captivate us more completely with age?

Oh, to be a one-year-old again. Someday maybe.

Father, You are above all things. Lead me today in Your ways. Grace me to live and breathe before You in joy and in the confidence that Christ has taken away all my guilt and shame. He is Your greatest gift. Thank you. In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 Matthew 6:33 ESV

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Psst! Your Humility Is Showing

“No wonder Christians are so humble,” pondered aloud our international student friend. Knowing very little about the Bible, she had been joining Peggy and me weekly to learn about God and His gracious work in a fallen humanity. As the gospel sunk in a little bit deeper one evening, our friend made the connection—receiving everything while deserving nothing is indeed a very humbling thing. Gratitude then grows where pride once prevailed.

Truthfully, our friend’s comment took me by surprise—a pleasant surprise for sure—for I had become more accustomed to criticism from those who have yet to meet the Savior. In fact, it seems we as believers are inclined to be a little too harsh on ourselves, letting accusations define us and thereby discourage us from sharing with others the treasure we’ve found in Christ. It is true that inconsistencies between our belief and our behavior are off-putting to others and understandably so, for our moral missteps are every bit as discouraging to us. But God’s work in us does not cease at salvation; He continues to shape us into the image of Christ. The more we receive and experience the love and faithfulness of God, the more eagerly we set aside our desires for His desires and our ways for His own. This is His doing, not ours, for it is He who “work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.”1

And it shows. Our friend saw humility often enough and consistently enough among Christians that she made the association, a connection she carried in her heart. God works other traits into His followers as well: personally, it was the peace, joy, and faith of believers that caught my attention and sent me seeking the risen Christ, and perhaps it was still other godly characteristics that drew you to Him. So take heart—the Spirit of God is morphing us into the image of Christ and equipping us for His good purposes. We are not the same people we were when we entrusted our lives to Him, thankfully, so we can confidently step into the divine directive today: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”2 How humbling the call.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Father, Your wisdom is unsearchable, and Your love boundless. Thank You for changing us, most often in ways we view only in hindsight. Strengthen us in the humility of Christ, that we would live, love and serve with Him today. In His name we pray. Amen.

1 Hebrews 13:21
2 Matthew 5:16