Tag: Paul Nordman

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The Standing Ovation

I once heard Colin Powell speak at a conference. It was a sizeable crowd, but not huge—hundreds, not thousands—just small enough to retain some sense of closeness in the room. Retired from two highly esteemed careers, he engaged the audience with stories and perspectives only a former four-star general and Secretary of State could share. What continues to stir me most deeply from that day to this, though, was the respect given him before he uttered a single word. As he entered the room and made his way up the aisle, there was first the silently spreading hush of awe at his presence and then the thunderous burst of a standing ovation that lasted for some time after he stepped up to the podium. It was the natural and spontaneous recognition of honor well earned.

The recollection reminds me of another standing ovation, that for Stephen, a believer in the early church—his audience of one: Jesus, the ascended Christ. Stephen’s role was a comparatively humble one: feeding the hungry widows, while others assumed the more publicly esteemed role of preaching the word of God. Still, Stephen was a man “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom”1; he was “full of grace and power [and] doing great wonders and signs among the people.”2 Intolerant of the gospel and its adherents, however, local synagogue leaders stirred up a false witness against Stephen, and as he concluded his oratory of defense before them, he “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’”3 Normally enthroned in the heavenlies, Jesus now stood as Stephen was stoned to death, the first among all believers to die for his faith in Christ.

To the widows served at his hand and to the One who sent him to them, Stephen meant everything. He trusted Jesus and in faith did what the Spirit led him to do. He had a purpose, he had fulfilled it, and Jesus now stood to receive him with honor. We likewise have divine purpose here, some tasks intimidating in size, perhaps, and others seemingly so small in our eyes they escape our notice if we aren’t watching for them. So, we step into each day with fresh faith and a heart liberated unto obedience. We have purpose here, and when our time is done, we too will be received into the presence of God. Stay focused; stay true.

Father, you have much for us to do today. Open our eyes to see where you are sending us and what you are calling us to do. Liberate us in your great love for us, that we will gladly obey. In Jesus name and by the power of your Spirit I pray. Amen.

1 Acts 7:3 ESV
2 Acts 7:8 ESV
3 Acts 8:55, 56 ESV

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What Christi Taught Us

“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:18 RSV)

Christi Nordman died last Friday. She was 60, active and engaged, seemingly healthy, and too young for a massive heart attack, at least to our natural way of thinking. She was my brother’s wife, and we will miss her the rest of our days here. Death has a way of clarifying the life it takes: somehow in an instant we see more vividly the magnum opus—the lifework—of the one now gone from us. Yet Christi’s imprint was always uncomplicated and refreshingly easy to see.

She was a doer, and no task was too big for this determined, undaunted woman. First things first, one step at a time—it’ll get done. But her work that inspired me most was her willingness to do anything for the Kingdom of God. Whether telling others about Jesus or helping people in His name, she was not only willing to serve, but eager to serve. Whenever I asked for volunteers to take a half-hour slot on our three-day, round-the-clock Kairos prison ministry prayer vigil, she would always say, “Give me an hour or two in the middle of the night. I will set an alarm and get up for it.” I doubt she ever missed one of these appointments with God; more likely, she came early and stayed late. To Christi, prayer was no forced obligation; it was opportunity for time with a Friend.

Which brings me to this: Christi’s faith was unwavering, as was her focus. She genuinely looked forward to the day when she would be in the presence of Jesus. This was her focal point, the end toward which she lived her days and served people well. To Christi, deeds were not the means to a close relationship with God, but the expressions of a heart that knows His love. And in the clarity of Christi’s life, I understand much more fully these words from James: “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” May our faith be so mature, our vision so clear, and our life as fruitful.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 RSV).

Father, thank you for Christi and for those like her who show us the beauty and power of faith that acts. Lead us through a life of purpose, one that knows your love, hears your call and follows your lead. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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A Daily Dose of Eternal Truth

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89 NSAB)

Bad news, delivered badly. Can we agree on this assessment of our daily newsfeed? A global pandemic, unchecked lawlessness, and ineffective leadership—taken together, they consume us with concern. Compounding the problem is the constant barrage of information—all of it slanted, much of it untrue, and now some of it censored. This is not healthy; this is not good. People need truth; what we do with it is up to us in our freedoms, but we need the firm foundation of truth. Is there a place where we can find our footing again?

Fortunately, there is; it is the immoveable bedrock that has always been there: God’s Word. The psalmist proclaims it to be “Forever, O Lord.” It is “settled in heaven,” and it always will be. It’s not going anywhere; it cannot be moved. The Bible will not keep us current on world events of the day, of course, but it strengthens us in God’s power to face them, it inspires us in His love to serve amid them, and it rests us in the sovereignty of Him who has authority over all things. His Word “sustains the weary,” said Isaiah, for “the Sovereign Lord … wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”

Might today be different if we prioritized and protected a few minutes to pray, to absorb a Bible passage, and to incline our ear “to listen like one being instructed”? Might God’s Spirit shine through us as hope to someone who has lost hope? Couldn’t we all use a little good-newsfeed these days?

“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” (Isaiah 50:4)

Father, your Word is truth, and your truth never changes. How refreshing the thought! Send your Spirit to breathe life through your Word, that we would draw near to you in confidence, resting in your sovereignty, shining in your joy, and serving with compassion. In Christ we pray. Amen.