Shutting the Door

It was years ago, but it was one of those things that, even as I did it, even as I said the words, I was sickened by how wrong I was. I'd incinerated my first marriage, hurt him deeply, and, as he stood at the door of my new address --somewhere I never should have been, separated or not-- I told him I never wanted to speak to him again. I was shutting a door. And, as I spoke, I quite literally shut the door behind me. I wanted no one else to hear the terrible words coming from my mouth. Bad enough I said them to this man who in no way deserved them; I couldn't let anyone bear witness to my contemptible behavior.

The account of Lot in Genesis 19, is one of those strange and terrifying incidents of which people tend to have morbid curiosity: Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's wife becoming an instant stalagmite, etc. One thing I've always noticed (19:6), as Lot goes to dissuade the men of Sodom from sexually assaulting his guests --for the sake of keeping this post rather brief, I'm counting on you to read the whole description of events yourself (use the link above ⬆⬆)-- as Lot appears at the doorway to talk the men out of their intentions, he closes the door behind him. I've always thought that was a reckless thing to do. An angry mob, bent on violence and depravity --did he really think it a good idea to be stuck out there alone with them? Perhaps he was simply trying to keep the noise of the crowd from disturbing the family. But as I was reading it the other day, the memory of my own attempts to cover my wickedness came back to me. And I realized, Lot was one of them! He'd settled in their city. 19:1 says he was sitting at the gate: that makes it likely he was a leader of the community. He saw these townsmen day after day; he'd become one of them, and now, they were at his door, threatening his guests --his angelic guests. I would assume Uncle Abraham had warned Lot, God was preparing to torch the city (Genesis 18. Yep, more reading!). Did Lot believe his guests had been sent by God to pick out the righteous folk and spare them? What would they think of Lot and his clan? Get out the family Bible! Say your prayers! Keep up appearances! Lot might very well have closed the door behind him so those inside couldn't hear what might be said outside --possibly Lot's reason for not allowing the angels to spend the night in the city square (19:2,3) as well. Who knows the tales the neighbors would have to tell these celestial beings about their buddy, Lot! So, Lot attempts to keep his "inside" life separate from his "outside" life, and then he makes the mob this offer: "I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish." What?! Scholars talk about the "worthlessness" of daughters in various cultures and time periods; they talk about exchanging a "smaller sin" for a much greater iniquity; and these might explain (not excuse) Lot's offer, but judging by Lot's reluctance to leave Sodom and his desire to remain so close to its ruins (19:15-20), I have to wonder if what was going on inside him was just as corrupt as what was going on outside his door. And did he really think he could keep it outside?

My behavior years ago was immoral, reprehensible, and dishonest --whether anyone could hear what I said or not. I wasn't trying to shelter anyone but myself; I wasn't looking to protect anyone, just my reputation. There is no door that can be shut to keep God from knowing our hearts even if our acting is award-winning. And there's no door to keep others who are watching closely enough from discovering it eventually.

So, what's going on in the sanctuary of your heart? Ask yourself, Does it match what's going on right on my front porch? Am I seeking to impress people, or am I living authentically and for the Lord? Do I find the need to compartmentalize relationships or activities? Is there a "Sunday look" and a wardrobe for the rest of the week? Ask God to search your heart and, by His Holy Spirit reveal areas you are trying to keep behind closed doors. Ask His forgiveness and seek to obey Him that your life may bring Him glory each and every day of this new year.

(Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin)

It's More Than Just a Moment

How was your Christmas? I'm hoping you all had plenty of Hallmark moments to carry you happily through the upcoming year. And that is what we'll be facing next, isn't it? The dawning of a new three hundred sixty-five days to do the right thing or eat the right foods, be more of a free spirit or be less of a pushover, make new friends or be rid of old flames, or whatever things the closing out of one year and the dawning of another seem to require. How long will those resolutions last? A year can be a pretty long time-- maybe too long for some of the happier moments of the last couple of days to weather the storm.

I was reading the account of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 42-44) the other day. You really need to read it, but I'll give you the condensed version for now. Joseph was one of twelve sons and his father's favorite; naturally, his brothers felt some kind of way about that. So, they sold him --yes, sold him-- to some slave traders who took Joseph away to Egypt. God had already planned Joseph's path for a purpose, so He allowed Joseph to be enslaved, allowed Joseph to earn the respect of his masters, allowed Joseph to be falsely accused, allowed Joseph to interpret dreams, allowed Joseph to be forgotten, and allowed Joseph to once again, earn the respect of his master (Pharaoh himself, this time) and be placed in a position of great authority in Egypt. Fast forward several years, and a famine in Joseph's hometown drives his brothers to Egypt to purchase food, and guess who they have to deal with to get what they need. Yep, Joseph! They don't even recognize him, so Joseph runs a couple of tests, the last and greatest being the planting of evidence in Joseph's younger brother's luggage. Now, with the disappearance of Joseph years before, his younger brother, Benjamin, had become his father's favorite. To have his son imprisoned or worse, would have killed their father with grief. The brothers tear their clothes in anguish and throw themselves upon the mercy of this "Egyptian," Joseph. Judah, chief suspect in the conspiracy to make Joseph disappear all those years before, now stands in the gap for his baby brother, Benjamin, and offers his life for his brother's. (All sorts of Messianic references there! Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah; it is Judah who offers his life for another, much the same as Jesus gives His life for ours at the cross... But all of that will have to wait for another day; I have a point to make.) The brothers who, years before cared so little for their father's well-being they sold his son, who cared so little for one of their own they sought to profit from his pain, now grieve the thought of their brother being made to pay the price for his guilt, false or otherwise. This is the Hallmark moment, the happy ending we all long for! Isn't this what makes a great story?

Well, it wasn't the end, and it's not just a story. And just like those special moments we may have had or, at least, hoped for over the past few days, this was only a snapshot, a brief moment in time in the lives of Joseph and his family. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, his brothers went back home, fetched their father, and they all lived in Egypt; but happily ever after? They had to walk that reconciliation out. It wasn't all torn clothes and selfless offers for the rest of their lives; it got messy I'm sure. And it's not all gift wrap and Christmas pjs for the next year (or what remains of this one, for that matter). It's going to get messy. There are things that will come in the new year, things you may not have planned or deserved, things that hurt or leave you reeling, and most of them will come about in or because of our relationships. Whatever your resolutions may be, you're going to have to walk that out-- especially if they include relationships and reconciliation. But it will be worth it if you are walking them out in obedience to the Lord. Like Joseph and his brothers who, by God's grace, became the twelve tribes of Israel, the people led out of Egypt and into the land promised to them as an inheritance, God can use our lives to bless others. Look for the Hallmark moments, but live for Jesus.

Countdown to Christmas - December 22, 2022

What is at the center of your Christmas celebration? The tree? Family? The food? Years ago, I was feeling a little meh about all of the seasonal trappings, and wanted to make a little more room in our inn for Jesus. I suggested we do something "different" with our Christmas tree. Before that thought gained traction, my husband voiced his opinion: he wouldn't hear of it. What he fails to realize is, prayer is my secret weapon. I don't fight, I pray. And, last year, no tree. We purchased a Moravian star and hung it above a ladder which we decorated. I grant you, it was still a focal point, but with less muss, less fuss, less time, less attention, and our nativity scene was equally as eye-catching. This year, at his insistence, our nativity is the main attraction. Winning! From the first time I decorated my own home for Christmas, I always had a nativity scene, but I'll be honest with you, it was usually one of those "homeless" sort of decorations. Where do we put this? Will it fit on top of the fridge? Put it next to the light up beer stein Aunt Paula sent us from Germany! God has changed my heart, however, and the birthday of Jesus is the reason I celebrate rather than a troubling reminder of what I'm supposed to be devoted to. It is the reason and the focal point of Christmas joy. 

On reading Matthew 1 the other day, I realized there is a figure in our nativity scenes we don't always acknowledge or, even, know what to do with: Joseph. He stands there, usually behind the manger, staring at The Babe. Reverent? In awe? Feeling a little displaced? Why is he there? To protect his adopted son? From what? And isn't God doing that? He is not the biological father-- no doubt that subjected him to all sorts of judgment and ridicule. In fact, it seems, as one of the major players in this tableau, he was the last to know; Matthew tells us Mary was "found with child" (v.18) before the angel showed up to clue Joseph in. Prior to that, Joseph clearly had reservations. However, Matthew says something very significant in his description of Joseph:

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Joseph was a just man. The Amplified Version says he was "just and righteous." The Complete Jewish Bible says he was "a man who did what was right." Joseph was a man living in accordance with Jewish law, with God's law. He was leading a covenant life with his Creator. He was obedient. I want you to see this: God's law tells us what is and isn't sin so that we might be protected against harmful behavior. God's law reveals the consequences of sin, and assures us it is impossible to work our way toward a righteousness acceptable enough to God, commanding us instead, to seek the righteousness of Christ found at the cross. By following God's law, Joseph had developed a heart inclined toward good things, righteous things. In Hosea 10:12, the prophet tells Israel to do righteous things, not in an effort to be righteous, but as they were waiting for God's Righteousness, Jesus, to come! In so doing, by obeying, they were preparing their hearts to recognize Righteousness when they saw Him. Two quick points before we get back to Joseph: 

First, John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of Jesus and to urge others to be prepared as well. Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight! Wherever He will tread, wherever He will come to make His abode-- make those paths ready. Please don't read self-righteousness here-- far from it. The Holy Spirit draws us, but we need to listen to those inclinations. The longer we resist, the more hardened our hearts become; which leads me to the second point.

As a parent, I sometimes required my child to do things, things that to them may not have made much sense. Why make my bed if I'm just going to get back in it later tonight? Doing those things taught them to obey, to do the things they might not see as valuable because I was telling them to do them. It inclined their hearts toward being compliant. Had I dropped the issue out of frustration the first time they objected, I would have been teaching them to complain and rebel.

So, back to Joseph. His heart was prepared. He had an obedient spirit. Matthew never explains, "Joseph was so in love with Mary, he couldn't divorce her." Instead, Matthew tells us that Joseph was so in love with God's law, he was ready to see the face of Jesus. He was willing to trust the words of the angel, endure whatever ridicule or danger, and care for this young girl and her Child because of the path through his heart worn by obedience. The few remaining times we encounter Joseph in Scripture he is again being visited by angels and following God's instructions. Obedient. Righteous. 

When you encounter Joseph in your nativity scene this year-- Yes, pull it down off the fridge if you have to; it's okay --take an extra minute to look at Joseph. What's he doing there? He is the figure of a just life, a righteous life, a life lived in preparation to see Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Law.

Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas - December 19, 2022

If you haven't made out your Christmas list by now, that horse just might be out of the barn. I remember years ago, our children submitting addendums to their lists on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve! Apparently, they'd seen items long after their lists and their previous addendums had been filed, and they were hoping that in the few remaining hours before Christmas morning, there was still some chance of their wishes being fulfilled. And, although as adults we may have a better concept of time, isn't that how it works with us as well: we see something that looks appealing and wonder how we can get our hands on just the same thing. Our economy would collapse if we didn't all long for something we needed or thought we needed.

So, here we are, it's Christmas, the season we celebrate Jesus, the Word, God, becoming flesh. We need a Savior, and by God's grace, His only Son, Jesus is the suitable propitiation. He came to earth, fully God and fully man, dying on the cross in our place that we might live for all eternity in His presence. But, getting back to the whole idea of seeing and longing for, there are more layers to this onion. Jesus is our example. 

1 Peter 1:21-24 says:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

“Who committed no sin, 

Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Ephesians 5:1-2 instruct us:

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

We are to act as He acted, love as He loved, and live our lives after the example He set for us as He walked this earth. Do we want that life, however? Are we seeking that life? On the Big Christmas Wishlist of Life is it there, front and center, first and foremost? 

1. A life just like Jesus Christ's

Jesus was not shy about telling folks the type of life He led: one that could leave a person with no roots, no family, no friends in this world. The things that tie us to our jobs, things like mortgages and car payments, are part of human existence but not necessarily part of the life lived in imitation of Christ. Do you long for that? Those societal dictums we in Western civilization follow so religiously: get a good job, family first, take care not to offend people. Are you yearning to leave all that behind? When Jesus pitched His tent with us right here on terra firma He was providing an example for us to follow and a life we can desire to live! As believers we should all be aspiring not just to live the kind of life Jesus lived while here on earth, but to dream of it! Each verse of the gospels should jump out at us as we read, causing us to pine for a life of selflessness and holiness. If others are supposed to look at our lives and want to know the One who has transformed our very being, how much more should we look at our Lord and Savior's lifestyle and long for a path like that?! What was it that caused those early disciples like Simon Peter and Matthew to immediately abandon their old lives to follow Jesus, and is it on your list?

Well, my Christmas list has been made, and this year it is extremely short. But after the Holy Spirit spoke this to me today, I think I'll be submitting an addendum. 

Merry Christmas!