Prepositional Pause

By Cindy Martin –

As a high school Bible teacher at one of the Christian schools in our city, I was asked to prepare a lesson on “Participatory Redemption” for the “Bible 20” students headed to Guatemala over spring break. The more I researched the topic the more apparent it became that understanding this concept would not only be very useful for these students, it would be equally (if not more) relevant to our everyday lives here in North America. The notion that we as Christians, get to participate in God’s redemptive plan here on earth is not breaking news. However, that our goal should not be to work for God but rather work with God in accomplishing that plan is surprisingly uncommon. Unfortunately the prevailing church mindset is one of perpetual performance despite the fact that their statement of faith may fully endorse salvation by grace alone.

Let’s look for a moment at the difference between working for God and working with God. When we work for God, we play the starring role in a results-focused environment designed to demonstrate to ourselves and others how committed we are to God. When we work with God we take time to discern where He is already working, surrender our role and agenda to Him, and then obey His leadings and promptings, leaving the results in His hands. It becomes God’s honor that is at stake, not ours.

In the former we initiate, motivate and sometimes even manipulate. In the latter we reflect, connect and respect. Working for God makes us responsible not only for the outcome but also for the sustaining energy and perspective along the way. So, if we need to be in control of everything then all we can ever have is what we can manufacture, and that leaves no room for what God can do. Working with God frees us to respond to the people and circumstances He’s already prepared.

The more I reflect on these truths, the more I’m asking myself the same questions I’m asking the students – how does this change my interactions at home? at school? at the mall? How might this shift in my thinking affect my demeanor, my responses and my priorities? Hmm, all this by simply replacing one preposition with another? A seemingly subtle difference for sure, but scripture promises, and history affirms, that such an exchange will have lingering and profound effects.

Scripture: “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25 NLT).

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, grant us grace and strength to not stressfully strive ahead of You or disobediently lag behind You. In Your mercy, show us how to match our strides with Yours.”

Too Good To Be True

By Cheri Cowell –  

If it sounds too good to be true, we are told, it probably is. This is a great truth to live by as it protects us from falling prey to untrue advertising, unscrupulous contractors, and false promises.

On the other hand, if we make this a cornerstone of our interplay with the world we risk becoming skeptics who never believe anything. We risk losing our ability to suspend disbelief in order to hold only to the explainable. This is the opposite of faith. Faith requires that we set aside this “rule” of protection and make room for that which is simply too good to be true—forgiveness of sins and the resurrection.

David had no proof; only belief in what seemed too good to be true. Yet, David chose to cling to the promise of forgiveness (remember, he murdered a man, committed adultery, and then lied to cover it all up) and the hope of resurrection for his son whom God had taken because of this. Sadly, the prophets foretold of many others who would choose not to suspend their belief in what they understood—they would never believe. Thus they would never see. Only those with the eyes of faith can hope to see.

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39 NIV).

Prayer: Thank You Lord being too good while also being true. Help me suspend my need for protection and joyfully abandon myself to that which seems too good to be true—forgiveness of all sins and a resurrection life.

Harmful Hesitation

By Carin LeRoy –

We all know the story about the frog in the pot of water. If a frog is placed in hot water, he will jump out. But if you put him in a pot of cold water and gently turn on the heat, he will adjust to the heat until it boils him to death. As he sits comfortably in his surroundings, he never realizes that it will ultimately destroy him. I don’t know if that story is true, but it can apply to life’s circumstances. As Christians we can become hardened to sin, comfortable in our surroundings, or influenced in ways that are harmful before we even recognize it.

In Genesis 19 we read about Lot who lived in Sodom. When two angels went to meet with Lot to warn him to leave, they found him sitting at the city gate. In Biblical times, the entrance to the city served several purposes—to conduct business and legal transactions, to proclaim public announcements and to address community issues. Lot was sitting at the gate, most likely, because he had become an important person in the city, possibly a judge. Therefore, he had high ranking as a leader in the city.

When God chose to destroy the city because of its flagrant sinfulness, Lot hesitated to leave (Genesis 19:16). The angels grabbed him by the hand and took him, his wife and two daughters and led them out of the city to save their lives. He faltered leaving even when warned that judgment was coming. Perhaps family members or friends were left behind, but I also wonder if he had become attached to his position of influence and so hardened to sin around him that those influenced his indecision. It was time for him to leave or he would be destroyed, too.

Sometimes God tells us, “It’s time to go. This is no longer a good situation for you.” When we hear that, do we listen or do we hesitate like Lot? Do you rationalize saying, “I can still be a witness,” or “I like my important position”? Maybe it’s, “I’m doing good things here and trying to be an influence”. But if God has told us to go and we choose to hesitate, will we suffer even greater consequences?

God sees situations that are harmful for us and will send us warnings if we are open to His leading. Don’t get stuck in a bad place if God has clearly shown you to remove yourself. Trust Him with the next step.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, that you see and know everything. Thank You that You see harmful situations in my life. Help me to listen to Your voice when you warn me. Give me a heart to obey You without hesitation.

“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33 NIV).

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