Simply Soul Searching

Wednesday, April 10th

Label: to put a word or name on something to describe or identify it

Isaiah 43:1 (NRSV)

But now thus says the Lord,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.

Almost every survey or questionnaire we complete asks us to classify ourselves according to age, gender, race, citizenship, income level and years of education. There are so many labels available for grouping us into specific categories. My “identity” could be labeled in a number of ways: female, baby boomer, U.S. citizen, spouse, middle-aged, college graduate, and so on. These labels may be important to the survey data collectors, but anyone reading them wouldn’t really know who I am. These labels only place me into groups that could describe any number of people.

I like other labels better. Karen, wife, Mom, Grammy, sister, daughter, friend, volunteer coordinator, writer, walker, contemplative, Sunday school teacher, neighbor. These labels describe the roles I love to do, the way I like to live, the way I hope others see me and know me. Those who know me by these labels know me quite well. Names like these are more personal, and they differentiate me from the larger classifications.

The best labels are the ones God uses for us. Through Jesus we can know how completely God knows us, how completely God loves us. This passage from Isaiah tells us that God calls us by name and calls us God’s own. What other words does God use to describe and identify us? They are beautiful ones, intimate ones, that show us we are unique and precious to God. Here are a few.

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.   (1 John 3:1)

I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.   (John 15:15)

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.   (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?   (1 Corinthians 6:19)

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!   (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am the vine, you are the branches.   (John 15:5)

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.   (Galatians 3:28)

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.   (Ephesians 2:10)

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.   (Ephesians 5:8-9)

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.   (Colossians 3:12)

In all the names we have been called, there are none more special and sacred than the ones God chooses for us. They describe our purpose and our preciousness, but they also describe the goodness of God. God labels us to clarify who we are, but more than that, to reveal who God is!

Some verses were found at https://bible.org/article/who-does-god-say-i-am

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Tuesday, April 9th

Land: to come to the end of a course or to a stage in a journey; arrive 

John 14:1-3 (NRSV)

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.

In our devotions these past few days, we have considered our response to God’s call on our lives. When God calls, we launch… we last… and one day, we will finally land. Our mission will be finished and we will be safely home. I have noticed a correlation between following God’s call and walking my daily miles. I hope my story serves as a parable of sorts to describe how our anticipated ‘kingdom landing’ influences our earthly journey.

Launch…

The idea of landing is what inspires me to walk each morning. On the days when I am not motivated to get out there, I remind myself how good I will feel when I arrive home with my exercise finished for the day. When I ‘land’ I am rewarded with a cup of coffee, a refreshing shower, and a sense of accomplishment with my self-care regimen. The rewards of good coffee, better health, and an already-completed task motivate me to keep my routine.

The ending I envision is what inspires me to begin. 

Last…

The idea of landing also guides my path when I plan to walk a little farther. My goal this year has been to walk at least 20 miles each week. When I need to catch up with a mile or two, I will do better if I circle a few neighborhoods while I am farthest from home. I choose to extend my walking route along the way because once I begin nearing home- I want to BE home. Rarely do I arrive home and then decide to walk another mile!

The ending I envision is what motivates me to go the extra mile early on. 

Land…

Finally, the anticipated landing opens my heart to delight in the journey itself. I can venture out with joy on new and different paths because I know where my home remains and where my loved ones are waiting. There is no need to seek and search for a new place to land. My home base has been secured, which gives me the serenity to simply enjoy the adventure. I consider my return as the final reward, but all of the paths leading me there provide challenging workouts, beautiful moments in nature, quiet times for contemplation, friends to meet along the way, and always the presence of the One who walks with me all the way home.

The ending I envision is what brings joy to the walk itself, giving each and every path a sense of purpose, presence… and peace.

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Monday, April 8th

Last: to manage to continue (as in a course of action); endure

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

“I didn’t sign up for this.”

I imagine all of us have had a few of these experiences at some point in our lives. We volunteer to help with a project and find that the work is more than we bargained for. We finally find the career of our dreams but soon learn that there will be cutbacks, with more responsibilities and less pay. We love working with a team of people, but eventually our favorites leave for other positions. We are disappointed and dismayed when the job no longer matches the job description.

Our previous devotion invited us to launch into God’s call on our lives, to take that first step toward a new vocation or way of living. Sometimes- even when we have been called- we have those same unsettling experiences after we launch. The work isn’t as easy or as appealing as we had imagined. There are disappointments, changes in direction, surprising losses, or unexpected challenges. We begin to wonder if this calling was from God after all. Did we misread the signs? Did we misinterpret the nudges on our heart?

Or has God called us “for such a time as this”? (Esther 4:14)

Maybe we answered the call because we anticipated the joy we would have in using our gifts for God’s service. But maybe God called us because God needed someone to go the extra mile, to keep persevering when others would not! What if these very challenges are the reasons God knew we were the ones to call? What if God called us because God knew we were best equipped to handle the troubles along the way- if only because God knew we would rely on and trust God for the help we need?

Paul’s words to the Hebrews encourage us to run with perseverance the race set before us. We can look to Jesus as our ultimate example, who for our sake endured terrible suffering all the way to his death. God’s call on our lives often requires us to persevere; to last when others don’t and we don’t want to. Certainly there are times when we are wise to surrender and stop. But before we do, could we first prayerfully ask ourselves, “Did God call me for this very challenge? Am I here for such a time as this?”

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Saturday, April 6th

Launch : to put into operation or set in motion : initiate

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NRSV)

Whoever observes the wind will not sow;
    and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.

In my life I know I have missed several opportunities to follow some God-inspired dreams. A few appealing career ideas were tucked into my heart, or suggested by a wise mentor, or even offered directly to me. But I hesitated. At times I lacked the self-confidence to pursue a new venture. On other occasions I didn’t want to spend the time and money to further my education. Most of the time I thought it would be best to wait until later, when I would have less responsibilities. When ‘later’ arrived, I felt that I was probably too late to begin!

Fortunately, God has always been able to take my missed opportunities and redirect me into something new. I did enjoy most of the careers I ended up pursuing. Now I love serving in ministry, writing devotionals, and spending time with our grandchildren after school. God has helped me find other paths to take throughout my life, the way God always works for good in spite of our shortcomings.

When God whispers a special dream into our hearts, we feel excited and inspired- but our inclination may be to wait until the conditions are perfect. After all, we DO want to succeed! We believe we will do better when we have more time or finances or health or less responsibility. It’s not that we don’t want to pursue God’s call on our lives, we just want to be sure we can do it well…

Don’t you marvel at the four fishermen- Simon, Andrew, James and John- who immediately left their nets and boats to follow Jesus when he called them (Mark 1:16-20)?

Through the Spirit, Jesus calls us today, placing dreams within our heart. It’s good to use wisdom and discernment when we make life decisions. But sometimes, like the fishermen, we are called to just set out. The newly-called disciples didn’t know what all was in store. They didn’t even have time to look back, although it seems that wasn’t necessary for them. They trusted that this Jesus would show them, teach them, and go with them on their journey. They only needed to follow HIM.

Has God inspired you to launch a new career, vocation, opportunity, or way of living? Is today the day to begin? Ecclesiastes speaks to us about hesitation. If the farmer waits until the weather conditions are perfect, nothing will be planted and nothing will be harvested! We need not wait until we find the perfect route, perfect conditions, or perfect time. We can venture out in faith today, trusting that we will be shown how and where to take each next step.  We don’t even need to know where this journey will take us. We just need to follow Jesus.

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Friday, April 5th

Psalm 100 (NRSV)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
 Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he that made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

“Laughter is the sound of the soul dancing.”  ~Jarod Kintz

I am so fortunate to work with a ministry staff who genuinely cares for one another, supports one another, and actually enjoys spending time together. We all especially appreciate how often we laugh together! During our weekly staff meetings, we share ministry concerns, we tend to the work before us, we pray for our church and mission, and we plan the weeks ahead. Yet we still find moments to share a laugh or two. I find that after each staff meeting, I’m refreshed and renewed for service- and I truly believe that our laughter is one reason that I am. Pastor Michael has noted that our laughter is healthy and beneficial for us all. Laughter IS good for the soul!

Laughter is almost cleansing, an act of surrender, isn’t it? When we are joyfully laughing, we set aside the things that have weighed us down, at least for the moment. We open ourselves to a humorous comment or situation, allowing joy and happiness to flood in. We stop taking ourselves so seriously. We are gleefully present to these funny moments and the people who are sharing them with us.

God gives us so many reasons for joy. This beautiful creation. This life we get to live for all eternity. Our loved ones and friends, our companions for our journey. Healing for our wounds and comfort for our sorrows. Even our sense of humor. Most of all, God gave us Jesus, who fully loves, fully forgives, and fully frees us to live a life of joy.

And isn’t there something so inviting about joy? When our youth director Kyle was younger, he decided he wanted to be part of a church mainly because he saw they were having fun in worship. Now he is serving in youth ministry as a devoted follower of Christ. We are called to share the light of Christ’s love, and I believe that light shines best through our joy. Our joy and laughter demonstrate to others how we view the world in a new way, through eyes that see God’s love and glory all around.

Today- even in the middle of Lent- we can thank God for laughter… and for those dear ones who laugh with us.

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Thursday, April 4th

Lapidate: to pelt or kill with stones

John 8:3-11 (NRSV)

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.

Lapidate is a new word for me, one I found when preparing these devotions. The word has an archaic meaning: “to pelt or kill with stones.” The word sounds much nicer than its meaning, doesn’t it?

In this story from John, the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman accused of adultery to Jesus, an act punishable by death from stoning. As the poor woman stands there, Jesus pauses and then simply tells the crowd, “Let anyone among you who is without sin cast the first stone.” Everyone drops their stones and walks away. For the moment, Jesus has helped people to rethink their actions and judgments.

It is good that the people dropped their stones. But I have to wonder… did anyone try to understand this woman’s predicament? Did anyone talk with her or try to get to know her better? Did anyone realize that the culture of their time made it nearly impossible for women to make it on their own? Did anyone want to hear her side of the story? Did anyone besides Jesus offer to help her? Did anyone ask, “If I were born under different circumstances, could I be in the same situation?”

It is easier to throw stones than it is to find solutions. It takes less time to judge than to join in friendship. It is more comfortable to distance ourselves than to draw near to those who differ from us.

It is easier to hurl than to heal.

What kinds of stones would Jesus have us drop today?

I think of the stones of judgment, legislation, violence, separation, detention, bigotry and exclusion thrown at immigrants and refugees, women having abortions, people of color, and those whose orientation or gender may differ from ours. All of these people are beloved by God. Jesus tells us to drop these stones, too.

And Jesus asks us to do more than that. He asks us to help foster a world where stones are no longer picked up in the first place. This isn’t easy. It takes time and effort for us to grow in understanding. To work together to help those who are in desperate situations. To check our own insecurities and prejudices. To revisit and research carefully the beliefs we have held for so long. To share our finances, expertise, time and voices to stand up for those who have faced far too many stones already. We are to lay down our stones and never pick them up again. No, this isn’t easy, but what we do for others we are doing for Jesus…

Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. (vs. 58-59)

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Wednesday, April 3rd

Link: to couple or connect by or as if by a link; to become connected by 

Ephesians 4: 1-6. 15-16 (NRSV)

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all…

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

If you are over 40 years old, you probably remember the benefit event and publicity campaign, “Hands Across America” in May, 1986. You may have even participated! “Hands Across America” was organized to increase awareness and raise funds to reduce hunger and poverty in America.  Approximately 6.5 million people held hands in a human chain for fifteen minutes along a path across the United States. The project netted about $15 million for the hungry and homeless.

Wonderful blessings can be accomplished when people unite to help one another. This is an essential purpose of our church communities- to unite as the Body of Christ in loving service for the world. Sadly, we often allow our differences to separate us. We have opposing views, conflicting values, or even angry encounters that tear us apart. As we each take our stance- distancing ourselves from each other- we cannot work to make things better between two of us, let alone work for the betterment of anyone else.

Paul urges all of us, as Jesus’ disciples, to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” God has linked us together as Christ’s body, with every unique part joined and knit together. We are united through the One who is above all and through all and in all. We may be diverse people, but God has intentionally connected us and desires our unity.

How do we maintain unity? Paul helps us here, too. We live the life worthy of our calling! We are examples of patience, humility, and kindness. We bear with one another. We are gentle with each other. We speak truth. We love. We work to help one another and then extend that help beyond our group.

Our worship time is another opportunity to unite as one. We hear God’s Word of forgiveness, love and fresh starts. We share the peace with one another. We come together at the table for our Communion meal. We praise God together. We pray for one another. Worship is a time for all of us to extend forgiveness and grace, surrender our egos, and reconnect as one Body, united in the love of Christ.

We are meant to be together. We are lovingly and purposefully linked by God to serve as one. We may be unique, we may have our differences, but each of us has been linked to create a greater chain, one that God can use to make wonderful differences in the world.

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Tuesday, April 2nd

Lock: to make fast with or as if with a lock;  to hold in a close embrace

Ephesians 1:11-14 (NRSV)

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

I enjoy listening to music on my iPod as I walk each morning. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing is one of my favorite songs, and I especially love this stanza:

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above∗

At Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, I draw an X with my finger across my heart as a symbolic reminder that it is “prone to wander.” I need the help of the Spirit to keep my heart sealed, to keep it locked in unity with God.

In preparation for this devotion, I found this helpful commentary about Paul’s use of the word seal in Ephesians 1:13:

“In the ancient world a seal was used to signify the genuineness of a document. When goods were being transported, a seal identified their owner and protected them from theft. In government, a seal served as an official emblem of state officials. Paul uses seal as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit’s supernatural work in a believer’s life. It is a sign that we are spiritually genuine, protected, and validated as members of God’s family. ” (Quest Study Bible Commentary, page 1677)

Through the work of the Holy Spirit our hearts are sealed, signifying that we are genuine, protected, validated and beloved children of God! We could never lock our hearts into an obedient relationship with God on our own. Jesus came to give us a better way. He gave us the Holy Spirit- the One whose work in us does the sealing for us!

One of the definitions of lock is “to hold in a close embrace.” Isn’t this such a lovely and fitting way to envision how the Spirit seals our hearts to make them God’s own?

∗(Robert Robinson, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Monday, April 1st

Lie:  to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive; to create a false or misleading impression

Colossians 3:9-10 (NRSV)

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 

Today is April Fool’s Day, and in many countries around the world it is a time for practical jokes and crazy hoaxes. Most everyone expects to be “fooled” and many try to be tricksters; usually both parties are amused. On this day each year, our lies are excused as part of the fun.

But on normal days, why might we lie to one another? My guess is that for most of us, any lies we may tell would be minor ones to save our reputation or to avoid criticism. Things are great at home. I was late because of a traffic jam. My studies are going well. I missed work yesterday because my stomach hurt. My computer died so I didn’t get that report finished. My career is flourishing. I’ve been too busy to call. The dog ate my homework. We tweak the truth or create an excuse instead of admitting our faults, our troubles, or our failures. We want to appear perfect or at least better than we are.

Only God knows the whole truth about us. God knows exactly what we have done wrong, the troubles we are facing, and the worries in our private lives. Knowing everything about us, God still loves us completely. God forgives us and God wants to help us. We can come clean before God without fear, because through Jesus we know we will remain God’s beloved child forever.

Isn’t God’s opinion of us the only one that truly matters?

As we trust in our awesome God who loves us in our brokenness, we find the freedom and courage to be honest about our failures and faults with those who need to know. We no longer need to lie in order to impress others or pretend all is well. We can ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged. We can “strip off the old self with its practices” of lying or misleading. We can set an example that might enable others to open up for needed support or understanding, too.

Perhaps best of all, our faith communities can become places in which all of us are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of (our) creator. They can become places of honesty and humility in which we offer mutual support, encouragement, wisdom, maturation, and acceptance. They can become places where all are welcome… just as we are.

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Saturday, March 30th

Lead: to guide on a way especially by going in advance; to direct on a course or in a direction; to serve as a channel

Psalm 25:5 (NRSV)

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation…

Exodus 13:21 (NRSV)

The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night.

Every year at summer camp, one of our big events was to play Follow the Leader. The leader, one of our camp counselors, had us tramp through mucky marshes, crawl across dirt and weeds under cabins, wend our way through underbrush and trees in the woods, run across open fields, and finally jump into the lake! We were filthy, exhausted, itchy, and totally spent- but also exhilarated. We had been challenged and we were victorious.

Looking back, I recognize the power of leadership. I was willing to follow my counselor wherever he led us, because these counselors had guided, tended, taught, protected, and loved us all week. I followed him into the most challenging parts of the course because I knew he wasn’t taking us anywhere he wouldn’t go himself. All of us campers had grown to love and trust these counselors, and we were willing to follow them even when the situation seemed difficult or even ridiculous.

Wherever we are leaders- workplace, church, community, team or family- we lead best when we lovingly care for those we are leading. We lead best when we are working toward a goal that includes and benefits everyone. We lead best when we are willing to go with them through all of the challenges necessary to achieve that goal. We lead best when we can look beyond any obstacles and detours by setting our sights on the vision and mission before us.

Most of all, good leaders follow a greater Leader.  I love the example in Exodus of the pillar and cloud God used to direct the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. Moses was a good leader because God was his leader. Moses went with his people, because he knew God would go with them, too. He was willing to go wherever God would take them because he knew God is the God we can trust- the God who teaches, tends, helps, protects, loves, and works for our good.

As godly leaders, our role is to lovingly guide people toward the One we follow as we work toward our goals. We may not get to take the well-worn path or the easy route or even the one that makes sense. We may find ourselves in challenging situations or places beyond our comfort zone. Still, because we know God is the One we can trust- the One who has loved us all along- we know we will lead best when we follow the best Leader.

All definitions are excerpted from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash