Midweek: No Longer at War

I just heard someone say that transgenderism is the act of "waging war on your body," and I felt that. I felt that because in my teens and into my twenties, it was safer for me to "be male." I didn't want to be male, necessarily, but it was safer for me to put on an outward appearance of (what I thought were) predominantly male characteristics. I cussed --A LOT --and the more vulgar, the better. I smoked, drank, yelled, fought, and pushed people around as much as I could. I took a job in a male dominated industry. I wore jeans and concert t's; I cut my hair and lifted weights. I hung out with guys my age and learned as much as I could about cars and sports. I was tough. Now, I'd always loved climbing trees and playing in the mud; and when I was choosing to wear male clothing and engage in male activities, I was happy to rock a great pair of heels and match all of my accessories just to go shopping. There was never anyone encouraging me to take the leap, just transition, live in the way that makes you happy. Even if they had been there, I was happy being both! Was I trans? Was I non-binary? Was I --pick a label? No, I was a woman who felt threatened, a woman who had grown up with some untrustworthy people in her life, had no real clue how to choose trustworthy people (Thank God, He gave me some!), and continued, for lack of wisdom, to add untrustworthy people to her life. Additionally, my body type, how I felt about myself, the enjoyment I got out of woodworking with my uncle or hanging out in the bays of an auto repair shop --all of these things made me very uncomfortable in "Girl World." I wasn't safe being vulnerable with men or being equal with women. My solution was to be equal to men.

So many young women today feel the same. They're uncomfortable with the changes in their bodies beginning with puberty. They may not have June Cleaver standing behind them as they gaze into a mirror. You are beautiful! You are going through a difficult process that will make you into a woman. But you are beautiful now! Just hang in there. Since the "sexual revolution," moms themselves have been struggling with the expectation of bringing home the bacon and frying it up in the pan. Assuring our daughters of something of which we ourselves are not sure...well, here we are. Social media and its demonic worldviews are poised to pick up the slack, however. You're uncomfortable because you were made wrong. You are a male trapped in a female body. Medical technology is your friend, my friend! You can transition, and all of this will be fixed! No, no it won't. If these young women don't come to grips with their discomfort, they will go on believing a lie. Changing physical attributes are no more helpful to transforming one's life than they were in the '70s. Do you recall those body building ads of old, the ones from the back pages of magazines? A "90-pound weakling" would cower on the beach as bullies kicked sand in his face. In the following frame, a he-man hero would show up, recommending whatever product the ad was hawking. The advertiser's formula, classes --even wrist cuffs! --would transform a simp into a successful, muscle-bound ladies' man in no time. "Gender reassignment surgery" is nothing more than a disgusting euphemism for profiteering today. Confused, fearful, vulnerable, "at war" people are being mutilated and exploited for financial gain. Praise God I wasn't born thirty years later! I might have purchased the snake oil myself. 

When we choose to believe God is who He says He is, everything else flows from that. When we choose to believe He is truth, we will trust Him at His Word. When we choose to believe He is the perfect Designer and Creator, we will trust the way He created us and the cycles of development in our bodies. When we choose to believe He loves us, we will know that no matter how awkward or misplaced we feel, His love for us demands He remain with us in the worst of circumstances. When we choose to wait on the Lord, we will no longer be at war with our bodies, the place where His image resides, but we will see the beauty of His work as it nears completion. 

Why Jesus?

As a little girl, I heard about Jesus. He died so I wouldn't go to hell. What four-year old wants to go to hell? Tell any four-year old about hell, and they will ask Oscar the Grouch into their heart if that's what it takes. And what did it mean to ask someone into your heart anyway?

As I grew, I heard that God expected those who had His Son in their hearts to act a certain way. I was really bad at it. I didn't pray; I didn't read my Bible --I didn't even want to do those things. What I wanted was to be liked, to fit in. Fitting in with my friends and being a Bible reader didn't seem to go together at all. If Jesus was in my heart, why wasn't He doing anything about it?

By adulthood, I'd given up. Multiple altar calls hadn't changed me. I figured I'd have to wait until I matured or got it all out of my system or something. But there was still that hell thing. Would God grant me time before I died to ask Jesus into my heart? Would He even be willing to come in after all the times I'd disappointed Him?

I was in my thirties when I had a "come to Jesus" moment. I was so sad, felt so rejected, had no direction. So, I said one of those "God, I've made such a mess of my life" prayers. I asked Him to take over. I did pretty well letting Him for a few days; but when my circumstances didn't change --in fact, they got worse --I gave up. It was back to leeks and onions for me. Or, at least, that's what I thought.

Ten years later, and life had gotten waaaay more complicated. But I had offered my life to God, I'd asked Him to change me, and He doesn't take those sorts of conversations lightly. Thank Him! He is faithful even when we are not. Friends "just happened" to recommended books that challenged me. Another friend committed to praying with me regularly. Local radio stations began to irritate my spirit, and I found myself listening instead to Christian radio: the preachers were "so different" from those of my childhood! I developed an appetite for reading the Bible and --better than that --it suddenly made sense! I was going to Christian counseling and Bible study. Little by little, the things I found so difficult to desire, to enjoy, to do when I was a child, were now the moments for which I lived. I wanted better for myself and my children; I wanted to live, where before I'd contemplated how not to. I needed Jesus in a way I never had before. 

We all need Jesus. He is the only way to heaven --like it or not. The message I heard as a little girl is as basic as it gets. Without Him, there is no access to the Father God or to heaven. Without Him the only remaining option is hell. But without Him there's also no reason to want heaven. Heaven is where God is; He is there with His Son whom we know as Jesus. Are there streets of gold? The Bible says there are. Gates made of pearl? The Bible says there are. But would you spend the rest of eternity with someone you have always hated, someone you've always rejected just so you could live in his swanky crib? No, but I don't want hell either. Well, my friend, then you have a choice, and no one can make it for you but you. Who will you serve? 

In serving Jesus, there is such a blessedness, such a growth, such a level of adventure. He has made my life better, richer, bigger. He has placed in my heart a love for others and a peace I could have never achieved on my own. I have vision and direction; a clarity of purpose I never had without Him. And, perhaps, there are those out there who can live better, richer, bigger without Him. Maybe there are those who love without Him and have peace all on their own. Maybe there are people who were just born with vision and purpose and fullness. But there's no one who can have a relationship with their Creator without Him. Though He is more than fire insurance, fire insurance is what we all need. By His grace, however, He grants and calls us to be more than policy holders. He allows us to steward His resources for His glory --not in a dehumanizing, sycophantic way, but in a way that completes us, allows us to be more fully who we were designed to be. So, why Jesus? Why not?      

Packed and Ready to Go!

In just a few weeks, our young man will pack his bags for a week of summer camp. As his mom, I will do everything in my power to make sure he has a great experience. I will do my best to anticipate his needs and his concerns. I will read and refer to the camp's publications again and again, passing the appropriate information on to him so he will be informed, but screening the flow of data so he will not be overwhelmed. I will take as much off his plate as I possibly can SO THAT he can go do what he is designed to do (at least, in this context): be a typical growing boy. This is not benevolence or parental responsibility exclusively: this is a way I can free him from the burden of the basics in order for him to reach his potential as a child.

God takes care of the basics, so we are freed up to do the work He has given us to do.

Have you ever thought of it that way? I know God is benevolent. I know He is our Father. I know that, by nature, He is Provider and Creator. As a parent loves on their child, wants to guide and guard them, provides for them and creates an environment in which they can thrive, God does those things perfectly.  

Jesus' words in Matthew 6 are an exercise in simplicity. First of all, He talks about giving and praying, doing those things we, as His followers are expected to do. Keep it simple, He says, just between you and Me. Give as you are led; speak what's on your heart. Then He gives us the framework for prayer. It's not miles long with lots of flowery language and theological gobbledygook. It's simple, to the point. Forgive, He continues. Fast simply and secretly. Commit to pursuing eternal things. Guard your intake and serve the One True God. Then, He talks about the basics: food, drink, clothing, that to-do list that never seems to get any shorter. Don't worry about any of that stuff, He says. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Scripture is chock-full of instructions; instructions that help us remain safe and steadfast, serve God and others, become more Christlike, entice others to want to become more Christlike, live at peace, conquer our old habits, and so much more. It's a lot! We are called to allow the fruit of the Spirit in us to overflow for the benefit of the Church and to the glory of God. Can you imagine being successful at a commission like that if each day was consumed with simply tending to the basics? Many of us can't, because being consumed with the basics is exactly what we are. Traveling around to three different stores just for our brand of mayonnaise. A bank account that's just as empty as the gas tank. Nothing "suitable" to wear to church. What would happen if we skipped the mayo or walked or went to church anyway? What if we weren't so consumed with the basics and allowed God to handle it? What sort of people would we become? What would that accomplish for the Church and to the glory of God? Will God provide the mayo? Will He fill our tank? Will He update our wardrobe? Maybe. Maybe not. But He will handle all those basics for our good and for His glory. If we believe that truth, we are free to do what we have been given to do: reach our potential in the body of Christ to the glory of God!  

Midweek: NKJV Personal Size Giant Print Bible

Thomas Nelson Bible has again given me the opportunity to examine and review a complimentary copy of their NKJV Personal Size Giant Print Bible. If you tend to read where there is insufficient lighting or at the end of the day, a Bible with large print may not be a bad idea. This one, in my opinion, does not disappoint.

Let me, first, say, this Bible has zero bells and whistles. In a time when most of us have access to smart phones and carry volumes of commentary and study tools in our pockets via the internet, that's not a terrible thing. Personally, I prefer minimal notes, as it forces me to really pay attention to the text, first and foremost, reread when necessary, pray What are You telling me in Your Word?, and then resort to Bible helps. Study Bibles, with notes and references nearby allow me to be inattentive and lazy.

So, the edition I received is black Leathersoft™ with gilded edges and a satin bookmark. It measures a comfortable 5" x 8" and is guaranteed for life. The words of Jesus are in red. The text is in a classic double-column layout, paragraph format, and 12-point Comfort Print®. Headings denote subject transitions. Behind the gold-stamped and carved cover is a presentation page, a title page, a short preface, and the table of contents. Seven color maps make up the entirety of the back matter. That's it. No book introductions, cross-references, or concordance.

If you are looking for a basic text with visually friendly type, this is a good choice. Details on the binding give it a classic appearance while the cover is lovely enough for gift-giving at a reasonable price. It typically retails for $49.99, but Christianbook.com is currently selling this edition for $32.99, and offering personalization.