Midweek: A Virtuous Life

The love of God for all of humanity came in flesh to free any who would believe. As we spend this time with those we love, let us not forget the power of that love to drive out the darkness and to conquer those things which would make us poor and captive. The words of Frederick Buechner, originally published in his work Whistling in the Dark, provide some perspective:

NEXT TO THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, the seven cardinal virtues are apt to look pale and unenterprising, but appearances are notoriously untrustworthy.

Prudence and temperance, taken separately, may not be apt to get you to your feet cheering, but when they go together, as they almost always do, that's a different matter. The chain smoker or the junkie, for instance, who exemplifies both by managing to kick the habit, can very well have you throwing your hat in the air, especially if it happens to be somebody whom for personal reasons you'd like to have around a few years longer. And the courage involved isn't likely to leave you cold either. Often it's the habit kicker's variety that seems the most courageous.

If you think of justice as sitting blindfolded with a scale in her hand, you may have to stifle a yawn, but if you think of a black judge acquitting a white racist of a false murder charge, it can give you gooseflesh.

The faith of a child taking your hand in the night is as moving as the faith of Mother Teresa among the untouchables, or Bernadette facing the skeptics at Lourdes, or Abraham, age seventy-five, packing up his bags for the Promised Land. And hope is the glimmer on the horizon that keeps faith plugging forward, of course, the wings that keep it more or less in the air.

Maybe it's only love that turns things around and makes the seven deadly sins be the ones to look pale and unenterprising for a change. Greed, gluttony, lust, envy, and pride are no more than sad efforts to fill the empty place where love belongs, and anger and sloth just two things that may happen when you find that not even all seven of them at their deadliest ever can. 

~ Frederick Buechner

Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin

Christmas: December 25, 2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you are enjoying this blessed time with your family. I've wrestled with this post for a few weeks now. A simple wish for a merry Christmas? some Bible verses --prophecy fulfilled? But, as the Holy Spirit is wont to do, He shook things up a bit to grab my attention.

I've been reading some books on parenting. In one, there was an exercise which required me to "Describe your image of the ideal father." There were two fathers who immediately came to mind, both fathers of childhood friends with whom I spent quite a bit of time --sleepovers and day trips and such. One father was authoritarian, but gentle and genuine in his approach. The other was more like a buddy --not a peer, necessarily, but he interacted with us regularly. He'd tell jokes and talk about popular TV shows and music. We knew the rules at both homes: the first, because he communicated them clearly; the second... well, I'm not sure why. I don't ever recall rules being the topic of conversation; I don't even recall what the rules were or how they got there. All I know is that we followed them. There was no reason to disobey: we were safe, we were loved, and we had all we could need.

And that brings me to Christmas and the precious Gift of Jesus to the world. Beloved, we are safe in Christ. We are loved enough to die for. And in Him we have all we could need. As you continue in your celebrations, bear in mind our reason to celebrate all year long: the Light of the world alive and living in us through His Holy Spirit, eternal salvation and infinite supply. Blessed be His name!

Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas: December 21, 2023

"BRING them to Me." Jesus' words, recorded in Matthew 14:18, may not come to mind when we consider the Christmas season. Until just the other day, they didn't for me. But I'm currently working with a sister in the Lord, and we are exploring John's account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. John writes that Andrew approached with a young lad's lunch, five barley loaves and two small fish, asking Jesus, "But what are they among so many?" This was a lunch packed for a small boy, insufficient for one grown man, much less five thousand. Matthew records Jesus' response, "Bring them to Me." And with that begins a miracle of abundance. A multitude fed with twelve baskets of leftovers collected when all had eaten as much as they could!

In this season we tend to ruminate on God's Gift to mankind: the coming of the Savior to humanity, paying the penalty for our sin and restoring our relationship with our Creator. Jesus coming to us. But as I read these words the other day, what began to unfold was a picture of every nation, every race and every creed, more than eight billion people today, and the small Babe asleep and far from home. Born to a young virgin whose betrothed had wrestled with the idea of having her put away and their engagement annulled. Born, most likely, amidst shame and speculation, to be raised by parents who, by all indications, were relatively poor and living in a backwater town. What is He among so many?

Well, He was even then --long before then --still is, and forever will be the King of all kings, the Deliverer, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Creator who speaks galaxies and gardens out of nothing, whose breath gives life to dust; the King who makes priests and rulers from pagans and reprobates. He is the One who, again and again throughout His Word, invites every person to come. His birth was foretold for ages that those in whom godly passion burned might keep watch for His coming and share His promise with others. His betrayal, unjust conviction, brutal beating, ruthless murder, cross and crown of thorns have, by the plan and power of the Living God become the means and hallmarks of His love and His authority over death. He, through His Holy Spirit, still draws men to Himself and has given us the promise of reigning in His Holy Kingdom with Him. The simple mom raising her children, the man with a desire to serve others, the child who only wants to be loved, the addict struggling every day to find wholeness, the prisoner on death row, the patient who has heard the words, "There's nothing more we can do," the lonely college student sitting quietly before a Christmas feast of noodles and canned chicken. What are they among so many? 

BRING them to Me.

Midweek: As We Continue to Wait

The following devotional was written by Dianne Neal Matthews, and was printed in Guideposts' Mornings with Jesus, May/June 2023:

But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

~ Micah 7:7 (NASB1995)

All four Gospels record the presence of the women who stood watching during Jesus' crucifixion. These devoted followers had traveled with Him and ministered to His needs . Now they stood helpless to intervene, their hearts breaking from sorrow. A couple of women stayed on after almost everyone else had left the scene. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph, watched Jesus' body being taken down from the cross and wrapped in linen. They followed to the tomb where He was buried and saw the stone rolled across the opening.

Sometimes faith means watching and waiting. Even after all hope has been lost. Even when it seems as though our world has crumbled and there's nothing to wait for. A frightening medical diagnosis, a broken relationship the sudden loss of a loved one, or financial ruin. During these times, we show our trust in Him by quietly waiting and watching to see what He will do. 

The women's loyalty to Jesus brought great rewards on Sunday morning when they went to the tomb to anoint His body. They were the first to hear the news of the resurrection and to see the risen Savior. I wonder if I would have persevered in their situation. I admire their stubborn faith that would not let go. After all, that's the only appropriate response to a love that won't let me go.

~ Dianne Neal Matthews