Why? Or Why Not?

Lately I've been wondering about the "why" of a lot of things. And also about the "why nots" as well. Since these meandering thoughts began as I was making the bed, let's just start there.

Why do some people make their bed every day and others do not. I'm one of those who makes the bed every day and can't imagine not doing that. But I know many people who don't, which leaves me wondering why. Is it laziness? Is it that there just isn't enough time in the day for that? Is it some sort of rebellion? Against bedmaking? Against parents who forced you to make your bed when you were a child? Or is there some other reason that hasn't even occurred to me?

What about women who wear makeup and those who don't. (I'm not even going to address men who do wear makeup. I'm not going there!) As to makeup, I'm not talking about full-on glamour for the red carpet. I'm just referring to the everyday judicious use of some cosmetics. I'm in the makeup-wearing category, which I choose because I look better with a little help, and that in turn makes me feel better. But many women choose the no-makeup approach. And again, I'm just wondering why. This is not a judgment; just a question. Is it laziness? Or because they just don't have time for that? Maybe it's allergies. Or personal preference. I realize some people really like the "natural look". For me, however, and perhaps for most people beyond the age of 25 or 30, the "natural look" isn't all that great!

There are a number of other why or why not questions that come to mind, but I won't belabor the point. Many of these issues come down to personal preference. So let's consider a couple of why nots that are much more serious - Bible reading and church attendance.

If you are a follower of Christ, how often do you read your Bible? Every day? Occasionally? Never? Have you actually read the Bible, the book you profess to believe, in its entirety? Or when you do read it, do you only go to the parts you like and ignore the rest? This leads me back to the original question of this post....why or why not. Perhaps lack of Bible reading is an issue of laziness, or perhaps you think you just don't have time. Perhaps you think Bible reading is just for pastors or religious zealots. Or perhaps you don't read your Bible because you aren't interested in what it has to say. Why - or why not - is your answer when it comes to Bible reading.

If you are a follower of Christ, are you a member of a local church? Do you attend that church regularly? Did you go yesterday? Why or why not? 

The same questions apply. Is it an issue of laziness? Lack of interest? Priorities? Do you think church attendance is only for pastors and religious zealots?

When I was growing up, our pastor used to often say that people come to church on Sunday because they love their church; they come to church on Sunday night because they love their pastor; and they come on Wednesday night because they love God. Of course, in those days it was common to have those three services each week. These days, most churches rarely have either a Sunday evening or Wednesday evening church service. Those have now been replaced with "activities" or with "family time". Again, the question is why?

But if you are one of those who did attend a service at your church yesterday, why did you do it? Was it out habit? Or to see your friends? Was it for the fellowship? Was it because it was expected of you

Or did you go to church yesterday focused on worshiping God?

Something to think about.

 

Home

Several years ago at this time - 8 years, to be precise - my husband and I were just a few weeks into an extended road trip around the country. On this particular day of that year we were checking into a hotel right on San Francisco Bay, where we had a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from our window. 

That trip around the country was a phenomenal experience, and most days I enjoyed it very much. But then there were the other days. The days when I found myself missing home. Missing my friends.  Missing my church. Missing my dog. Missing my coffee maker (although I confess I traveled with my own mini-Keurig!). Missing my own chair. Especially there in Cypress, California.

This particular chair, and others like it in hotels along our journey, was incredibly uncomfortable.

There were a number of days that summer when I found myself checking the calendar to see how much longer before we would be "home".

When I thought of "home", I was thinking of our home here in Spartanburg. From the moment we moved into this house, it felt like "home". Even when we were still surrounded by boxes!

Perhaps it's because this is so close to my growing-up place.

Perhaps it's because we had already made such good friends here, even before we moved.

Perhaps it's because we loved our church so much.

Perhaps it's because we view this as our permanent location, at least until it's time for "the home" or for heaven, whichever comes first.

For whatever reason, this feels like home, and I am incredibly thankful.

So much of our life has been "for as long as we're here, .....".  For most of our life, we have saved boxes for the next move. But not this time. For most of our life, we've been waiting for, anticipating, the next thing.

Here it feels good to be settled. Until it's time for our eternal home, this feels good. It feels right. It feels like "home".

The 2015 road trip was an incredible opportunity. What a blessing to be able to see so many different parts of our country! Even so, as we traveled around the country, there was always a longing for "home".

There's a sense in which that is a picture of life. We who are believers in Christ still live in this world. We enjoy the sights and sounds and experiences that are part of life. But underneath it all is the knowledge that we're not "home" yet.  

As we observe current events and as we read the Scriptures, we may find ourselves looking at the calendar and wondering how much longer.

Until we are finally home.

"This world is not my home; I'm just a-passin' through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue."

(Brumley)

 

 

"I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."  (John 14:2b-3 NASB)

What a Week!

 "The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry."

So wrote the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Well, what he actually wrote was, "the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley."  But since, for most of us, our Gaelic is a bit rusty, we just read it in translation!

This has been quite a week. A week filled with ups and downs. Mostly downs.

Let’s go back to Saturday when we had a surprise visit from one of our sons. Definitely a high point. Love, laughter, good conversation. What a blessing.

However, the days since then have been filled with discouragement, grief, disappointment, and frustration. Which called to mind these words from Robert Burns. Our best laid plans do often go awry. 

This morning’s Bible reading took me to Proverbs 16:9 - “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

That verse called to mind Romans 8:28 - “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Remembering that even the frustrations and discouraging and challenging days have purpose brings comfort. Remembering that God is sovereign. Remembering that He is always at work for my good and for His glory. Remembering puts this crazy week into perspective.

So that even when things go oft awry, and they will, there is still joy in the journey. Because God is God and I am not. And because God is in control.

What’s Your Identity?

We hear much these days about identity theft. In fact, there’s an entire industry devoted to protecting your identity. As a victim of identity theft, I am particularly aware of the steps we take to protect ourselves from the identity thieves. Things like passwords and RFID wallets are designed for such a purpose. Even so, your identity may be stolen or compromised by a hacker or cloner or a thief who captures your password or your personal details.These cyber crimes are a fact of life in our digital age.

But is our identity really determined by our bank account or our social security number or our social media presence? Of course not!

For those of us who belong to Christ, our identity is defined much differently.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”                          (Ephesians 1:3-4 NASB)

This is our true identity. Not a set of digits. Not a social media page. Not a public persona. Our identity is in Christ.

Blessed.

Chosen.

Predestined.

Adopted.

Redeemed.

Forgiven.

All this is ours, and more, in Christ. 

And this has been lavished on us by a loving Heavenly Father so that we might live “that we who hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:12 NASB)

Today my prayer is that we we remember who we are in Christ. And that we may each live to the praise of His glory. Amen.

Let Freedom Ring!

 

“Proclaim liberty throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof."       

Those words from Leviticus 25 are inscribed on a bell we have come to know as the Liberty Bell, originally cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in East London, England, and now housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Tomorrow we celebrated our nation's independence. July 4, 1776 was the date of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, and we celebrate that day every year.

But our independence, our freedom, is about more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It's about more than picnics and parades. It's about more than fireworks and flag-waving and funnel cakes.

Our freedom as Americans is something to celebrate every day of the year, not just on one day in the middle of summer. It's something to be cherished and protected. It's something we must never take for granted, but continually be thankful for.  

Our freedom as Americans is a precious thing that must be guarded and defended. And just as the verse from Leviticus that is inscribed on the Liberty Bell reminds us, we must "proclaim liberty throughout the land"!

If that is true of our freedom as Americans, how much more is all that true of our freedom in Christ! Our freedom in Christ isn't something just to be celebrated once a week on Sundays, but to be celebrated and cherished and treasured and proclaimed every day! Because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!"  (John 8:36 ESV)

"For freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1 ESV)

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."  (Romans 8:2 ESV)

[Jesus said] "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 ESV) 

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 6:23 ESV)

Free in Christ Jesus! Free indeed! Our freedom in Christ is not dependent on political parties or political correctness or political whim. That freedom is all and only in and through Christ Jesus! Free indeed!

Proclaim that freedom "throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof"!

What will you do today to proclaim liberty? To let freedom ring?

"Let Freedom Ring" - The Gaither Vocal Band:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVbSXz7jaU