Another from my upcoming book, More Snapshots: continuing the spiritual journey

Lying and Dying

September 9

You have not lied just to human beings but to God.

Acts 5:4

The doctors could not find the root cause of Euwan’s illness. About a year and a half ago he’d begun feeling ‘unhealthy’. “I don’t know,” he’d say, “I just don’t feel right. I feel…odd.”

As the days turned into weeks Euwan’s quest to find out what was wrong intensified. He went from his family practitioner to a specialist in viral diseases. But the weeks turned into months, and Euwan grew worse. At this point he was willing to try anything. So he went to a local church, and asked the pastor to pray for him.   

Before he prayed, the pastor asked, “When you first noticed the symptoms, what was going on in your life?”   

Euwan thought for a bit, and realized that the onset coincided with a business deal he’d brokered. Reluctantly, he told the pastor.  

“Well,” the pastor said, “What kind of a deal did you make? Was it fair and beneficial for both sides?”

Instantly Euwan remembered what he’d said to the board members of the company they’d purchased. His own words came back like hammer blows to his heart: “Yes, we intend to keep all your employees…” But as soon as the merger had been completed, Euwan ordered a down-sizing. They had always intended to minimize the workforce to save their company money.         

†

Illnesses of this nature happen every day, but mostly aren’t attributed to the root cause. Lying has physiological consequences that can lead to death. Euwan’s conscience wouldn’t allow him to deny what he’d done, and it had taken a huge toll on him.   

When we lie there is only one option that will restore us: the truth. God already knows we lied, and is waiting to see what we’re going to do. What we fear most is disclosing the truth to those to whom we’ve lied, because we fear their wrath. But, tell them we must.          

Whether they forgive us or not, God will, and He is hopeful that we will repent.

What we do with that opportunity is up to us.     

Prayer

“Lord, if I have lied, help me make it right. Set me free from the bondage of deception, and help me to always speak the truth. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

From More Snapshots: continuing the spiritual journey

Just Point and Click

August 1

I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

1Corinthians 2:1

Nancy was an amateur photographer. Nature was her medium, butterflies and hummingbirds her forte’. She loved capturing images for posterity, and over the years she had taken some pretty awesome pictures. So many, in fact, that she could publish a book, showcasing some of her more dramatic shots.  

One picture in particular always caught the eye of those who looked through her extensive portfolio. The bright orange center of each tiny violet bloom contrasted vividly against the deep green leaves of a beautiful butterfly bush. Framed in the center of the picture was a hummingbird moth, collecting nectar from each flower. The tiny moth’s wings beat a thousand times a second as it hovered over the plant. That a moth could so closely resemble a bird was astounding! Its luminescent bronze wings and feathery-looking fan tail were so intricate in detail. The similarities between its namesakes were remarkable. The fact that Nancy had captured its fragile beauty was even more impressive.     

When asked how she managed to capture such wonderful images, Nancy replied, “Honestly? I just point and click. The more I adjust the settings and set up for the ‘perfect photo’, the worse it turns out. Every print you see was a point and click picture.”  

†

Nancy’s approach to photography is a wonderful example of how God wants us to share the gospel, with simple and understandable words, leaving the conviction and revelation to Him. He has good reason.

There is nothing more confusing and frustrating than when someone uses eloquent speech in an effort to display their extensive vocabulary or their grasp of the situation, when simple words would do.       

Paul reminded the Church at Corinth that he had not used eloquent speech to woo them. He’d spoken to them about Jesus in simple, understandable terms. And if anyone could have wooed them with eloquence, it was Paul. But he was wise enough to understand that wordy speeches fail to present the true nature of salvation through Jesus Christ.

So the next time you share the gospel, why not give the ‘just point and click’ method a try.  

Prayer

“Holy Spirit, help me keep it simple as I share about Jesus. Amen.”

Sticks & Stones

August 3

Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

1Samuel 1:7

Laura wiped at her tears as she walked up the drive, she didn’t want Dick to see she’d been crying. “I hate mean people!” She vehemently cursed under her breath, not noticing or caring as the bus faded into the distance.  

Thoughts from today’s trip whirled through her head. Why does this always happen? Why are people so mean? And…why can’t people just leave me alone?! She would never get used to the stares, and the names. I never hurt any of them, and still they call me hurtful names, staring at me as if I’m some kind of monster! The tears began anew.

At seventeen, Laura had been in an explosion involving a gas grill. It had left her with burns over thirty percent of her body…the right side of her face had required extensive cosmetic surgery, leaving disfigurement that could not be hidden. She was still receiving monthly treatments to stretch on-going skin grafts.

Laura hated visits to the city. Because no matter how much she prayed, she always saw that look, and heard those comments.  

Why couldn’t people see past the scars? “Why couldn’t You have just let me die in that explosion?!” she challenged God for the hundredth time.

†

Sticks & stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Most of us have used this come-back as a form of protection for lack of a better defense. The idiom is a lie, name-calling hurts.

And for good reason, it undermines our personal confidence while telling us we are defective and unacceptable; it wounds a heart longing to be loved.

Hanna was so affected by name-calling that she wept until she couldn’t eat! But God heard Hanna’s cry. And he hears ours, too. Like Hanna, we too might endure ridicule we do not deserve, but in the end our sorrow will turn to joy. There is no guarantee that our situation will soon change as there is no shortage of mean-spirited people. But God hears our cry. And in time He will take away our pain.

Prayer

“Lord, help me bring healing instead of pain. Guard my tongue and words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”