Midweek: Sunroofs Are Better in the Rain

I recently left my old vehicle in dust. (Literally. They're doing construction in our neighborhood, and everything is covered!) She was not really mine --or never felt that way; she was somewhat unreliable, v-e-e-e-r-y quirky, but exactly what was needed for a season. Despite her advanced age, she had all the bells and whistles for her day; one of which --my fave --was heated seats. As our young man and I headed home from one of our last trips in the old girl, we ruminated on the one thing we would be forfeiting, the sunroof. It's actually my husband's favorite feature, a must-have for cruising the interstate on a sunny afternoon. And though I found it fun having the wind blow through my hair a bit, the fiery orb surrounded by whirling planets, the nemesis of black paint and pasty European skin, always seemed to place me in its crosshairs as it blasted its way into the interior of our vehicle. For me it earned its title as a sunroof and not so much a funroof. 

However, there were those trips through the car wash. Water pelting the glass as we remained safe and dry inside. Globules of soap spurting above us like a scene from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Whirling, scrubbing brushes thudding as we watched. We dared them to reach us. And in the rain? Droplets of rain bouncing off the glass, collecting and running in rivulets until we picked up speed, when all was whisked away. Even in light showers, we could pop the roof open just a bit, encouraging stuffiness to escape and the smell of rain to flood the car. 

I think Jesus teaches us to be somewhat unconventional in the way we live our lives. He came into this world in a very unconventional way, born to a couple no one would suspect would host and rear the Messiah. He chose His closest associates not from the synagogues of the religious elite, but from shores pungent with the smell of the fishing industry and from backgrounds fairly counter to spirituality and transient proselytizing. He spent hours in prayer despite unlimited miles of travel and multitudes of people wanting His blessing; Scripture makes no mention of a lengthy To-Do list tucked in His tunic pocket. He didn't hurry through meals or conversations; relationships were of the utmost importance. He spoke to those others sidestepped, and sidestepped those others worked to impress. He cradled children and wept with His friends. He caught naps at the most unlikely times. But because He is God, because He "so loves" the world, because He created every square inch of dirt on which He walked, I think it's pretty safe to say He enjoyed life with us. I imagine Him taking time to enjoy the ordinary and entertain the unique, drawing others in to appreciate those things. Hey, did you see that bee over there? Did you know he's got five eyes? Or maybe, Let's head to the widow's house. We'll guide her up the hill to watch the sunset the way her husband did.

I'm trying to be more like Jesus. So, I'm trying to be more intentional in the way I live. I'm trying to slow my pace and take notice of things --smell the roses, as they say. Actually, it's STOP and smell the roses, isn't it? Stopping is important. I'm trying to listen more and speak less. I'm trying to keep in touch with people and pray for them. I'm trying to jump in a few puddles along the way and listen for the clinking-clanging of a passing freight train nearby. I'm trying to allow others to do things for me and with me. I'm noticing the sun on my face and the sound of rain on the roof. And since I'm confessing, our new vehicle has a rear window I tend to pop open every chance I get just to savor the air outside. I'm trying to be mindful of these things so that I can enjoy all that God has given me, yes. But I want to praise Him, I want to give Him the glory --recognize reasons in every moment to give Him glory! Suss them out, call them by name, make mental notes, and do life with others so they can praise Him, too. 

A Passionate Commitment

It's Wednesday morning as I write. I promised someone a phone call today, and those calls are usually pretty lengthy. I have some other things to do --you know, the usual sorts of things one does when they wear clothes or assumes responsibility for meals and things like that. And another friend just texted: she wants to talk. All good things, right? Laundry means we have clothes to wear. Meals mean there is someone to share them with you. And friends and family? Well, we all know what a blessing they are. But here's my conundrum, I have a blog article to write. I have a blog article because, while I normally write weeks in advance of when the article actually posts, I've not been doing that as of late. Days I typically spend holed up in my office with our sweet Luci Blue snoring contentedly beside me, I have been spending with my husband making memories. I am dying. So is my husband. If not, we'd be among the very few exceptions. But recently we've had one of those scares that makes you aware, palpably aware of your mortality. We're not quite out of the woods yet, our hearts are still racing from the alarm so, our senses have been awakened. As is the case with many of these types of jolts, these "Come to Jesus" moments, this has prompted us to make some commitments.

More frequent date nights.

A better diet. More activity.

Greater appreciation for all we have.

And the list goes on. But time is the great revealer of sincerity. In six months, a year, two years, how much of our list will be forgotten? What items on the list will bring us shame to think how we have allowed this revival to grow cold? A doctor who spoke with us suggested a second "birthday" celebration each year as an opportunity to remember the pardon we have been given and to reevaluate the path we are on. A date on the calendar: an appointment with passion and an inescapable reckoning.

That is the very definition of our following of Christ. Emotion drawing us ever nearer; grief, fear, joy, love, wonder, anger, pity, gratitude. And structure, discipline, commitment, circumspection, routine. Passion with practical implementation. Without one or the other, our relationship is cold, dead. Revelation 2 and 3 are God's warnings to the churches. Some had forsaken church discipline and structure; evil had gained a foothold. Some were without passion, doing all the right things but having no real love. We are not one-dimensional beings. The quality of our relationships --with our Savior and with others --depends on our impassioned keeping of commitments. Speaking of which, I have some phone calls to make. Blessings! 

A Heaping Helping of Rescue

Lightning flashed at my window awakening me to the sound of rain beating the roof. Years ago, I read Scott the riot act. We had a television in our room and, though he kept the volume down, the flickering disrupted my sleep. The TV had to go. There's not much to be done about lightning at 11pm, however. As I began to pull the covers up over my head *BING!* I remembered the back window of my truck. Had I closed it? I must have. No, I didn't! And I sprung out of bed, out the door, and into the pouring rain to close it. Hours later, I headed to the office to begin my quiet time, throwing in a load of laundry on my way. As I sat down at my desk, I realized my pen was missing. Check the surrounding area, retrace my memories. My jacket pocket! The jacket that was now in the washing machine rapidly filling with water! I dashed to the laundry room, hit the STOP button, and retrieved my pen before everything was destroyed.

Blessed be the Master, day after day.

God heaps upon us our rescue. 

~Psalm 68:20 (Alter)

I realize flashes of lightning and the sound of water as it swirls into the washing machine may not be what the psalmist had in mind. And it certainly isn't the Master's best work (see John 3:16). But rescues big and small are part of the way God cares for His people and the way He continues to bring glory to His name. Abundant, undeserved, tender, lavish acts of hesed, God's never-ending loving kindness toward His people. His sacrificial, attentive care for us testifies to His character. Like a parent who ensures their child's needs are met in full, morning, noon, and night. Like a husband, thoughtfully and intently, cherishing his bride. What kind of God must this be? Like no other, we declare! 

Things done for the good of His people bring Him glory, and things done for His glory benefit His people. In Exodus 14:4, God tells Moses, "Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” The Lord God punished Egypt and made Pharaoh even more resistant than he was so that God would be honored, so that the people of Egypt would know He is the one true God and He stands alone, so that everyone would see the might and sovereignty of God, a God who rescues His people!

Whether the rescue is great or small, by many or by few, our God heaps upon us our rescue, for our good and His glory!

Midweek: When Christ Takes Office

Welcome to Wednesday! As we head farther away from summer days and a blistering election season, into holidays and hopes for a better new year, please enjoy this selection, "Bettered Angels" from The Fellowship of St. James (November 8, 2024). What a poignant reminder of all that truly matters!

Is there anyone of stature today who can speak anything like Abraham Lincoln did in his First Inaugural Address—to good effect?

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

Political vitriol and the language of conflict remain after the election and will for some time. It is one thing to fight for a just cause, but another to hate your opponent, which according to dominical teaching is akin to murder. We are taught to love our enemies, including domestic and political ones. Which does not mean agreeing with them or allowing them to do wrong. But embracing hatred is to serve a severe taskmaster and not one of the “better angels of our nature.”

On this feast day in the East of the Archangels and Heavenly Hosts, I am reminded of the overarching reality in which we live that is permeated by the love of God, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This God and Father made us “a little while lower than the angels,” who are “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.”

On the other side, there are fallen angels who hate us and seek the destruction of souls. God, in his love and mercy, does not desire the death of the wicked; thus “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” The angels will rejoice at each conversion.

And the angels “of these little ones” continually “see the face of my Father in heaven.” The bottom line is God’s personal interest in the salvation of each soul, which is reflected in the words and work of Christ and in the ministering of his angels on his behalf for repentance. God is watching and working. We wrestle not against flesh and blood.

The task of the Church is to be seeking the lost sheep, for each one found is a battle won in the greater war in which God will be victorious. The impressions that men have about political victories—as important as those can be (ask Lincoln)—must be tempered by the realization that we do not know the mind of the Lord and that earthly gains and empires will turn to dust and ashes. The small victories we can strive to win where we live by living the Beatitudes so that all may see our good deeds and glorify God, will produce eternal fruit—and cause the angels to rejoice.

What does a nation “whose God is the Lord” look like? It begins with each person, truly loving God and his neighbor. “As far as possible live at peace with all men.” Conflict is inescapable, but it must be endured in faith and not provoked in anger. There are many unsung examples of such patient endurance and witness, like the longsuffering Jack Phillips, Masterpiece Cakeshop baker, who doesn’t give in, and fights, as a humble Christian.

Phillips should not have been targeted and the authorities and laws should not have allowed this. As a matter of justice, the politics must change so that the laws are just and justly applied. More citizens’ minds and hearts must be informed to see the true spirit of justice and to vote accordingly. Christians have their work cut out for them in convincing more citizens to protect the unborn little ones.

The world is political and thus man is as well, but politics will cease in the end and man will stand naked before his God to give account. But God’s judgment is delayed. The coming of the Son of Man is not yet. But we are warned to be awake, watching, and ready.

But when this ongoing delay ends, the days of delay will fade like a dream, and those angels will appear with the Son of Man. There will be no more polls, debates, ads, ballots, voting booths, or tabulations. Christ will take Office with All Authority in Heaven and Earth. I may not still be here. But I pray to witness the joy of the angels and countless numbers of elect.

Yours for Christ, Creed & Culture,

Jim Kushiner, Executive Director Emeritus

~"Better Angels"

The Fellowship of St. James