Simply Soul Searching

Friday, March 15th

Labor: to exert one’s powers of body or mind especially with painful or strenuous effort; work

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Our word for today is labor. As you consider the work you do each day, do you sense a difference in attitude between your labor to improve things versus your labor to maintain them? I would rather paint an entire wall with a bright new color than to repair and cover a crack in it. Spending time looking at new and improved vehicles to buy is more appealing than waiting for oil changes and tire rotations. I like redecorating our home with fun new items more than sweeping and dusting. I find greater pleasure in working to create something new than in maintaining the old.

Perhaps I feel this way because the “reward” is greater when I am able to see striking and visible results from my efforts. A house guest would notice a fresh new wall color but probably not a repaired blemish.  New is exciting. New is dramatic and eye-catching. New is novel and fun. Maintenance of the old usually isn’t as rewarding.

Nine days into Lent, I am noticing that the “newness” of the season is beginning to wear off. On Ash Wednesday, I could hardly wait to begin my disciplines of fasting from certain distractions while increasing my spiritual reflection. Now these disciplines, at first fresh and new, are becoming more routine and even tedious. Discipline begins to feel like labor when we need to make a greater effort to persevere.

The maintenance of our spiritual selves through regular discipline doesn’t always feel exciting or new. We want the mountaintop experiences, the fresh revelations, the glorious retreats. We want to see ourselves growing into better followers of Christ in dramatic ways. But we need to keep persevering- to keep up with our disciplines of fasting, spiritual reading, praying, or serving- whether or not we can see a visible difference; whether or not we feel like it. Remember, maintenance does help to keep us from deteriorating!

This verse from 1 Corinthians is perfect for such a time as this. Paul encourages us to remain steadfast, to keep working for the Lord, trusting that our labor will not be in vain. Our labors in keeping our disciplines and following Jesus will not be for naught. Even if we are unable to see any differences, God is making us new… every moment of every day.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Thursday, March 14th

Lack: to stand in need of ; suffer from the absence or deficiency of

Mark 10:17-22 (NRSV)

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Jesus knows this man will enter the heavenly kingdom after his earthly death. Not because the rich man tries to be a good person by keeping the commandments and doing what is right. Not because he reverently kneels before Jesus and asks, “What must I do…?” Not because he recognizes Jesus as One from God while so many others have not. Jesus knows what the man can not yet know… that only because of Jesus, the man will inherit eternal life, whether he is perfect or not.

But Jesus loves this man so much that he wants him to experience kingdom living right away, while the man is still living his earthly life.  He tells the man the one thing that is keeping him from fully experiencing the kingdom in his present time. He must sell his possessions and follow Jesus.  Ironically, the rich man lacks heavenly treasures because he has an excess of worldly treasures!

Jesus loves and wants all of us to experience kingdom living here and now, too. In this story, he is showing us how our lack of heavenly treasures stems from our excessive worldly treasures! In seeking and keeping worldly enticements, we miss out on all of the heavenly treasures and blessings available to us. Here are a few examples…

The excess of seeking financial security keeps us from the blessing of seeking reliance on God.

The excess of material possessions keeps us from the precious gift of simplicity.

The excess of greed keeps us from the blessing of a kingdom where no one is in need.

The excess of social media keeps us distracted from the still, small voice of God.

The excess of full schedules keeps us from the treasure of much-needed Sabbath rest.

The excess of pride and self-reliance keeps us from the blessing of humble trust in God.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). Isn’t this so true? Jesus told the man, “You lack one thing…” What would be the one kingdom treasure that Jesus would say we lack?  If we each do an honest review of our own earthly excesses, we will find our answer. The earthly treasures that take the most of our time and attention (and maybe even obsession) cause us to miss out on the opposite treasures- the heavenly joys. Too much earth leads to our lack of heaven.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Wednesday, March 13th

Lace: to draw or pass something (such as a shoelace) through something (such as eyelets)

Ephesians 6:15

As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

Jesus came to live among us in God’s perfect time. I know there are many reasons why the time was right, but sometimes I wonder about the seemingly insignificant details in God’s timing. For example, I wonder if Jesus came before photography or video technology so that we would have to live by word and faith alone. We have no way to see the actual footage of Jesus in action.

More than this, I also wonder if Jesus came before the invention of transportation vehicles so that he had to walk everywhere. So much of his ministry happened as he was walking to the next destination. Walking enabled him to encounter people face to face, to pause for teaching, healing or blessing, and to truly be among the people. There was no rushing, no passing someone on the side of the road unnoticed. Then there was the time Jesus even chose to walk on water!

My daily walks have given me an opportunity to ponder in solitude. And yet, I have met and talked with many people I never would have had the chance to know. I meet fellow walkers, people sitting on porches, neighbors working in the yard, and even a few folks who slow their vehicles to greet me before driving away. I have talked with mail carriers and delivery truck drivers. Walking opens a way to connect with others.

We may not have the time to walk everywhere, or even to make daily walks part of our routines, but we DO have opportunities to “walk” with people in other ways. We might walk alongside someone who is suffering by being a listening and caring friend. We might walk to support a good cause, like my dear friends did for me at the Ovarian Cancer Walk a few years ago. We might walk in solidarity with those who are oppressed or discriminated against by standing up for their rights. We might walk among people who are different from us by making an effort to learn and grow in our understanding. We might walk in unity with our faith community as we work together to make a difference for others.

It is time to lace up our shoes or whatever will make (us) ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. Where is God calling us to walk today? We are called to action. We are called to move. We are called to live out our faith, in courage and in love.

“Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you are unwilling to move your feet.”

~Sean Patrick Flanery

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Tuesday, March 12th

Lift: to raise from a lower to a higher position; elevate

Mark 9:27

But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand.

I was at a seminar when an unfamiliar woman suddenly approached me. With a big smile, she told me that she had felt called to pray for me. To this day I don’t know why or what she asked God to do for me, and honestly, she made me feel quite uncomfortable. (How bad did I look??) Another time, a fellow church member told me she was praying for my former husband and me, asking God to help us stay married because “Dr. Dobson said children are always better off if their parents stay together.” I had to wonder how she and Dr. Dobson knew so much about our particular family situation that they could so easily say and believe this.

When I tell people I will pray for them- even those I know well and love dearly- I don’t always know what would be the best request to make. I simply will never have all the information that God has. I cannot really know what is the best answer in every circumstance. There is a blessed relief to know that the Spirit intercedes for us, but my prayer requests can feel very inadequate; at times I even worry that my words are completely wrong.

Our word for today is lift. My friend Lisa once told me that the best prayer we can offer for our dear ones is to simply lift them by name before God. In prayer, we present the person before God and say something like this: “I lift ________ to you today, God. I know that you love them even more than I can imagine. I know that your perfect love and healing are surrounding them even now. You know what is best, God, and I thank you for doing that.”

We can lift up any person, situation or concern in the same way. God knows what is needed. God knows what to do already. Our prayer then gives both the one praying and the one being lifted that sweet relief of surrendering our limited and perhaps selfish desires, while entrusting our concerns to God’s complete and perfect control. I like this. I would feel so very blessed if someone told me, “I am lifting you before God today, into God’s perfect, loving presence.” That would be more than enough.

As you finish reading, know that I am lifting in prayer all who read this today, simply presenting you before God’s perfect and loving presence.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Monday, March 11th

Let: to give opportunity to or fail to prevent

Psalm 19:14 (NRSV)

Saturday, March 9th

Lose: to free oneself from; to fail to keep control of; to miss from one’s possession. 

Matthew 16:25 (NRSV)

For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

When I hear stories from people who have given their lives to Christ, their examples usually center around a spiritual event, or an altar call, or a church camp, or a special person’s testimony. Our baptisms are also sacraments of surrender in which we “die to ourselves” and are reborn as children of God. These moments are sacred, special and blessed. These moments are easy to share with others, because they are joyous times of faith, shared and received.

However, I believe my most profound moment of losing my life to God came during a very difficult time. My surrender was actually an act of desperation, when all the options before me were not easy or happy ones. I don’t need to share my personal story, as I imagine you have had such moments, too.  What is important to share is my experience of the surrender, because in that terrible time when I handed over my life to God, God led me to find my true life.

In despair, I tearfully told God that I couldn’t keep trying on my own any longer and I needed help. As I surrendered my life to God, I whispered in the silence that I would be okay- no matter what happened- as long as God was with me. At that point I had no idea where God would lead me, but having God’s presence and guidance were enough for each day (and more than enough, I would one day understand).

Immediate and profound relief overwhelmed me. I could feel the Spirit with me, loving me, holding me, helping me. Genuine peace filled my soul. There were still very difficult days ahead but every morning I asked Jesus to hold my hand. No matter where this unknown path would take us, I knew I would be okay as long as we were together. At the time, I didn’t feel as if I was losing my life for Christ’s sake but for my own sake. Now I can understand how, in spite of me, Jesus was better able to work in me through that trial and beyond.

The three definitions of lose speak well to the gifts we find when we lose our lives for Christ’s sake.

To free oneself from.  Surrendering our lives to Christ frees us from the anxiety of facing trials alone, from our doubts and despair through hope in Christ, and from the burden of carrying our sinful nature with us.

To fail to keep control of.  Placing the Spirit in charge of our lives helps us to stop trying to control or plan every detail, and to allow the Spirit to move and guide us in a better direction.

To miss from one’s possession.   Relinquishing ownership of our lives and giving our all to Christ in humble service helps us find greater joy than we could ever create or imagine on our own.

Losing our lives for Christ’s sake truly does save our lives. We are placing our lives in the best hands- the hands of One who loves us even more than we love ourselves. Losing our lives to Christ will not guarantee easier or better days. (We only have to look at Jesus’ life to know this!) Losing our lives for Jesus’ sake does guarantee that we will be able to face whatever each day brings, because we have our constant Guide, Strength, Companion, Healer, and Teacher with us all the way.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Friday, March 8th

Long: to feel a strong desire or craving especially for something not likely to be attained

Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

John 4:13-14 (NRSV)

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 

I was actually working on this devotion with the word long when Jim and I read a meditation based on these verses from John 4. I wondered aloud, “Why do we feel this holy longing for God- if Jesus has given us this living water that assures us we will never be thirsty?” If we have this spring of water gushing up within us, why do we feel spiritually dry and parched at times? Why do we still long for Christ’s presence, if we have his Spirit always with us?

Oh, there are many times when we do feel this refreshing water bubbling up within us. Times when we feel filled to the brim with the refreshing joy of the Spirit and the cleansing love of Christ. Moments when unexpected peace surrounds us in the midst of heartache or chaos. Constant and persistent hope that remains when we are facing difficulty or uncertainty. We know that the living waters are at work- washing, renewing, and refreshing us for our daily living.

Still, there are many days when I feel an emptiness, a yearning to retreat from the world and spend time with God in solitude. I almost ache to be in the presence of Christ. I long for time in a small group study or a quiet evening devotion. I am eager to worship each week, to gather with others for praise and spiritual growth. I long for Christ’s presence quite often, even as I carry this presence within me. Why would this happen?

“What you seek is seeking you.” ~Rumi

Rumi is insightful. Imagine you have invited your family or friends to gather for a special meal. You eagerly plan the menu, choosing the recipes you know your loved ones will enjoy. You happily prepare the food and arrange the place settings, envisioning the joy, laughter, conversation and fellowship that will be shared around the table. You can’t wait to hear words of gratitude and appreciation for your labor of love, the stories that have transpired since the last meal, the fond memories that are recalled, and even the doubts and questions to be discussed and considered.

Your loved ones do come but they hurriedly eat the meal in silence and rush off to their next commitment. Yes, they now have the nourishment and sustenance they need for their daily living, but you have missed spending time together. You have missed sharing and listening, encouraging and debating, caring and learning, while deepening in friendship and love.

The living waters of Christ are within us, providing and nourishing us for our busy lives and daily challenges. Still, there are times when Jesus is calling us to gather, to pause, to simply spend time in shared conversation and friendship with him and with one another. Jesus has given us his living water for eternity, but let’s not make a habit of grabbing a drink on the run or only when we need it. Our holy longing is an invitation from Jesus to come and sit for a while.

We long for Jesus, because Jesus longs for us.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Thursday, March 7th

Liberate: to set at liberty; free

Luke 4:16-21

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Our word for today is liberate. I usually read this passage with the perspective that Jesus came to liberate others- bringing good news to the poor, releasing the captives, restoring sight to the blind, and freeing the oppressed. After his announcement in the synagogue, he spent his life doing just that. This passage also reminds me that we are to do the same. As followers of Jesus, we are called to liberate the captive and oppressed from their bonds, liberate the blind from their inability to see, and liberate the poor from their poverty of physical necessities and spiritual hope.

But today I am thinking of how Jesus came to liberate ME. It is humbling to think of myself as one of the oppressed whom Jesus came to free. I feel so blessed that I don’t generally consider how I too, desperately need the liberating love of Jesus as much as those who are downtrodden. And yet, when I ask myself these questions, my need becomes quite obvious.

The Spirit of God was upon Jesus to “bring good news to the poor.” In my daily living, where do I experience poverty of spirit, health or goods? In what areas do I need to hear the good news again?

~Liberate me, Jesus. Liberate me from my discouragement in challenging times, my lack of faith when faced with uncertainty, my full schedule with no time for you, my impatience when I need to allow your timing, my fear of cancer returning, my weariness with the world…

Jesus came to “proclaim release to the captives.” What holds me captive? What is holding me back from fully experiencing kingdom living?

~Liberate me, Jesus. Liberate me from my practicality that overrides any sense of wonder, my personal agenda that doesn’t include your desires for me, my timidity about making radical changes, my contentment with the status quo, my feelings of inadequacy, my tendency to seek security in worldly goods…

Jesus brought “recovery of sight to the blind.” In what ways am I blind? What do I need to see or understand more clearly?

~Liberate me, Jesus. Liberate me from my assumptions about others’ actions, my closed mind in the face of new ideas, my limited understanding based on my own culture and life experiences, my self-centered focus, my ordinary perspectives, my inattentiveness to your movements and miracles…

Jesus was the anointed one who would “let the oppressed go free.” One definition of oppressed means to be burdened by abuse of power, but the word can also mean “to burden spiritually or mentally.” In what ways am I oppressed or burdened spiritually? Mentally?

~Liberate me, Jesus. Liberate me from my worry about daily concerns, my anxiety about pressures and deadlines, my guilt about past mistakes and regrets, my conflict with certain aspects of the church, my fear of loss, my inability to totally comprehend your love for me…

Finally, Jesus was the One to “proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” What prevents me from seeing and sharing the good news of Jesus?

Liberate me, Jesus. Liberate me from my reluctance to share my faith with others, my negligence about the world’s great need for the hope found in you, my not “finding” time to help someone, my taking your good news for granted, my concern that my witness might cause a negative reaction…

I am in need of liberation.

Liberate me, Jesus- but free me only so that I might work with you to liberate others, until we all are free to share your good news and celebrate your good favor- together- forever.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Ash Wednesday, March 6th

Lament: to mourn aloud; to express sorrow, mourning, or regret; to regret strongly*

James 4: 8-10 (NRSV)

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 

I love how the Lenten cycle moves us from death to life each year. We begin with the somber reminder that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19). We spend the next weeks in penitence and fasting, aware of our need for God’s forgiveness and mercy. We revisit the examples from Jesus’ life with the hope of growing as his followers. We sadly remember the result of our sinful humanity on Good Friday. But we close the Lenten season with the joyous Easter resurrection! Death has been overcome and new life is restored.

This first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is the day to especially lament our sins and brokenness. We sorrowfully confess the times we have disobeyed and grieved God. We receive the ashes as a visible reminder that we are dust. Ash Wednesday is the day we tell God we are truly sorry for our sins.

Growing up, many of us heard the stern command from a frustrated parent, “Tell your sister/brother you’re sorry!” Strained apologies were stiffly exchanged; reluctant hugs were grudgingly shared. Both parties knew these actions weren’t sincere, but were only being carried out to avoid further punishment! We weren’t truly lamenting our sins or even admitting we were wrong.

Even as adults, we may often qualify our apologies. When we say, “I’m sorry IF that hurt you,” or “I’m sorry, BUT…” we are deflecting some of our guilt or responsibility for the hurt. Using the word if seems to imply that the hurt may be the fault of the one receiving our apology.  IF you weren’t so sensitive… IF you really understood… IF you weren’t so demanding. When we use the word but, we are already excusing our behavior, even before the apology is heard and accepted!

Let’s begin our Lenten reflection and growth by truly lamenting the ways we have sinned against God. We are even called to “mourn and weep.” We do not have to lament in order to please an angry parent. We do not have to lament in order to avoid punishment. We do not need to qualify or excuse our sins in order to justify ourselves before God. Through Jesus, we know that we have already been totally forgiven.

There is no need to be defensive, so we can honestly confess and humbly lament our sins before God. We can also ask God to reveal sins of which we are not aware. God knows our hearts even more than we do. God just wants us to recognize our sins in order to repent of them and surrender them. As we lament and confess, God will cleanse us, renew us, and free us of our burdens. Our confessions before God will be lovingly heard, forgiven and healed.

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

Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

(Photo credit: Photographer Aaron Burden on Unsplash)

“La, la, la, la… Laughter. La, la, la, la… Lullaby.” Back when my children were watching Sesame Street, I especially enjoyed one song that Ernie and Bert sang: “La La La (Letter L).” Ernie notices how the letter L begins so many lilting and lovely words, and he suggests that Bert use those words to create a song. But when Bert begins singing, he uses words such as light bulb, linoleum and lump. Ernie tries to steer him toward words like lullaby and laughter. Of course, Bert doesn’t seem to grasp the difference!

There are many L words that can beautifully speak to our Lenten journey and focus. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 6th), our Lenten devotions will offer a daily word- an L verb- to guide our reflection for the day. I hope that these daily devotions will bless you this Lenten season. (There will be no devotions on Sundays, a time for Sabbath rest and worship.)

Do you see the letter L in the cross? May this Lenten time draw us ever closer to Jesus and the cross. And may we arrive at the Easter resurrection with another “L” song in our hearts- a brand new song of life and love.