Monthly Archives: January 2024

Where’s Your Treasure?

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My husband, David, and I have been watching The Chosen, a Christian series portraying Jesus and His disciples. In one of the scenes, during a Jewish festival, “Jesus” was asked to play ball with a group of men. More out of a sense of obligation, rather than eagerness, “Jesus” smiled and dutifully agreed to play. It became apparent early on that he wasn’t very good at it. As he laughed and tried his best at the game, the men teased him about his lack of skill. They even asked “Jesus” how long it had been since he played last. His reply was that it hadn’t been since the last time they played together. Some of the men seemed surprised he hadn’t made time to play for such a long time. 

The scene intrigued me. I said something to David about how much I appreciated the way the show portrayed the human side of Jesus by depicting Him as not very good at playing ball. David took note of something more, though. He witnessed the fact that practicing that ball game wasn’t a priority to “Jesus”. It simply wasn’t what was important to him. Hmm… 

That simple scene, and my husband’s observation impacted me immediately. I let my thoughts marinate on it for the rest of the day… And the next. I had to ask myself, “What’s most important to me?” I thought about how I spend some of my free moments in my day to day life. Social media, reading, TV, and playing solitaire on my phone were a few of the things that came to mind. Yes, I pray and read my Bible, too, but I must admit that sometimes, earning the “badges” in my solitaire game has taken precedence. Goodness gracious! That made me open my eyes to the things I am making priorities in my life. 

Since growing closer to Jesus is paramount for me, I had to reflect on how I lived my life moment by moment. Which did I want more, being an amazing solitaire player or having an amazing relationship with God? Please, understand that I am not trying to be legalistic in my walk with the Lord. I am not saying that playing video games will weaken my Christian walk, but what I am saying is that I need to be more aware of the things that are filling up my time, and then determine if that’s truly beneficial for moving my life forward in the way I want it to go. 

The verse in Luke 12:34 came to mind, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I don’t think I’ve really paused to dwell on that verse before. The things that are important to us, we make time for. It’s not always easy to make the most important thing the most important thing, but it’s necessary if we want to grow, especially if we want to grow our relationship with Jesus. 

So, for the last few days, I’ve been reading my Bible more and even made a list of scripture verses I have started memorizing. It’s the first time in a few years I’ve actually missed multiple days of playing my solitaire game. I don’t miss it either. It’s no longer a priority for me; spending time with God is. 

Pray with me: Father, I’m sorry for all the times You were trying to get my attention, and I was distracted by other things. You have so much more to offer me than the things of this world. Teach me how to be a better steward of my time. Show me ways I can grow closer to You. I hunger for You and Your Word. Continue to share with me and guide me on Your perfect path. I love You. Amen. 

7 Oppositions of Love

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Someone recently shared something with me that irked me. (Yes, I said irked.) She told me that a new love interest of hers had been regularly saying cruel things to her. One of her friends had witnessed this and even commented to her about it. Their comment went something like this:

“Yes, I’ve noticed that he says unkind things to you. That’s verbal abuse. But he really does love you.” 

Goodness gracious! Really? This is not the first time I’ve heard someone express such a comment. This time, however, it hit me differently. I was irked! I had finally heard this type of thing one too many times. 

So I began contemplating it. Why would anyone express unkindness to someone they love? Either there is heartlessness or there is love, right? The two cannot exist together, can they? Sure, none of us is perfect and have said things we regret and hopefully have immediately apologized for. What I’m speaking of is the overarching character of a person’s behavior toward someone else. Is it possible for anyone to regularly treat someone badly and love them at the same time?

In the midst of my contemplation, I went to God with it. He brought to mind 1 Corinthians 13. So I grabbed my Bible and began focusing on verses 4-8a: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

For the first time, I read this in a new way. I noticed there were several things that give an account of what love is NOT. This scripture is straightforward in relaying the concepts of all that love IS, such as patient and kind, truthful and trustworthy, protective, hopeful, and persevering. Notice, though, it also reveals the behaviors that are NOT love. 

According to this scripture, I notice 7 traits of what love is not. (Included is my interpretation of what the opposite of that might look like):

1.  If love does NOT envy, then celebrating and encouraging others IS love. 

2.  If love does NOT boast and is NOT proud, then remaining humble and respectful IS love. 

3.  If love does NOT dishonor, then speaking to and about others in an honorable way IS love. 

4.  If love is NOT self-seeking, then putting the needs of others before your own IS love. 

5.  If love is NOT easily angered, then taking in a deep breath while crying out to God for help in tense moments before calmly speaking IS love. 

6.  If love keeps NO record of wrongs, then repentance and forgiveness amid wrongdoings IS love. 

7.  If love does NOT delight in evil, then sharing the good news of God and trying to emulate Him IS love. 

I see no mention of heartless behaviors co-existing with love. That’s the point. There is either a display of love, or there is not. How much time has been wasted in our lives trying to defend ongoing bad behavior toward us? Also, how much time has been spent trying to defend bad behavior we have projected on others? Ouch. That one stung a little. 

Maybe it’s not enough to only focus on what love IS. Shouldn’t we also challenge ourselves to consider what love is NOT, so that we have a wider perspective of such a vitally important part of truly living life in community with others. Love is an essential part of a fulfilling life. It’s an opportunity for us to reach within our soul, bring to surface all the best qualities we can gather, then heap them lavishly and creatively on others. It’s also an opportunity to be mindful of and thankful for those moments when such a gracious gift is reciprocated.

Pray with me: Father, You are love. Thank you for loving me like you do. I am only able to love because You first loved me. Show me all the times I am not displaying love so that I can turn back and head in the direction that is pleasing to You. And please teach me how to truly be loving to those around me because my greatest desire is to be like You. Remind me always that love never fails. I love You. Amen. 

Broken And Blessed

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It’s Parkinson’s. That’s what I recently learned is wrong with me. I can’t say I was surprised. I’ve been wondering if that’s what it was. Friends and family ask me how I feel about this diagnosis. Since I’ve had undiagnosed symptoms for so long, a part of me is relieved to finally have an answer. Another part of me feels closer to God because of it. You might wonder how that could be. I believe the answer lies within the vulnerability I feel in being physically broken which leaves my soul begging to cling tighter to Him. I’ve been physically active most of my life between dance classes and gymnastics as a child and teen, and then going to the gym, sometimes twice a day, as an adult. I physically felt invincible. Goodness gracious, was I wrong. My physicality had always been the part of me that felt strong. Maybe I was compensating for the lack of strength I felt in other areas of my life. 

Second Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

I treasure knowing this. When our daily walk is with Jesus Christ, we don’t need to fret. Our physical bodies may be wasting away on this side of eternity, but our Spirit-filled souls are being renewed day by day preparing us for our eternal lives with Him. Wow! Doesn’t that thrill your soul and encourage you even more to fix your eyes on Him and not on any ailments!

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 15:40, 42-44, 56-58 tells us, “There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthy bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another… So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body… The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I rejoice in this! Maybe I don’t rejoice in the fact I have Parkinson’s, but I can rejoice in the Creator and Sustainer of my life. It makes me smile to know that our earthly bodies, although imperfect, can be a splendid vessel used by God to glorify Him. Our earthly bodies are temporary, and as broken as they may be, they can still be used to do the very will of God that He planned out for us to do. Our earthly bodies may be perishable and rooted in sin and weakness, but those of us who know the Lord will be raised in glory and power. Maybe our perspective of “broken” should include the blessing that can flow from it. 

Pray with me: Father, I love that I can take a deep breath and sigh out in relief knowing that in the midst of my issues I know I am in Your hands. You have a plan for my life. What I may see as a setback, You see as a tool for furthering Your kingdom. I give myself fully to You to use. I love You. Amen.