Beauty from Weeds

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19-20

Sheree and I hiked 13 miles today. We were in awe of this extended carpet of yellow flowers. They are dandelions! No one has been busy trying to pluck, pull, or spray them into extinction. The weeds we spend considerable time and energy trying to eradicate from our lawns beautifully decorated the trail. I often spend considerable time and energy in resentment for the wrongs done to me by others. The typical stuff—an unkind word, unfaithfulness of a friend, the wounds from family—can become like weeds in the lawn of my life. Do I ever expect those things to become part of the good work God is accomplishing in me? No, because I do not have the humility of Joseph who could look at his brothers and not only extend grace but see the salvation of God. Do you know anyone who responds like Joseph to wrongs done to them?

PRAYER
God, I confess that when I am wronged I lack humility. I want to be judge, jury and executioner. I constantly disobey Your command to leave room for the wrath of God. By faith, I thank You that You can turn the sins of others as well as my own sins into something beautiful in my life. May I be gracious and forgiving like Jesus, my greater Joseph. How can I be so blind to forget how You have used past pain to mature me and make me useful for your kingdom? Lord, have your way in me.

Appreciating the Cross

27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ Luke 23:27-30


This is the remains of a rock slide. Who knows when it happened? I am glad I wasn’t around. When I saw it, I thought of Jesus quoting this verse from Hosea to the women mourning for Him on his way to the cross. This same judgment shows up in Revelation 6:15-16. The wrath of God is so great that people will scream, “Give me a painful, terrifying death of 300 pound rocks avalanching over me, than to come face to face with the wrath of God.” This picture helps me appreciate Jesus’ request in the garden for the cup (the wrath of God) to be removed if possible. Let us think carefully about the awful death of Jesus so that our hearts might be melted and transformed at the cross.

Jesus, rarely does the sight or mention of the cross evoke any response in me—tears, joy, repentance, surrender. My heart is sluggish. Jesus, open the eyes of my heart. Help me to see my sin more fully at the cross. May the cross teach me not to take lightly my sin against family, friends and those I pastor. I confess that my sin nailed You, creator and King to the cross. Thank You for loving me. Thank You Jesus for taking the avalanche of the wrath of God. Jesus, help me to live a holy life gladly indebted to You.

How much worship does Jesus deserve?

Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

The flower in this picture was about 3 feet off the trail Sheree and I were hiking yesterday. More than likely, no one else will ever see this flower before it fades. It made me think about all the flowers in all the fields in all the world that no one will ever see. Trillions? And none of this beauty is wasted. They grow for the pleasure of God. So much of our life is like this hidden flower—thoughts and deeds that go unnoticed by anyone but God. Much of my motivation to do “good” is that others might see. Much of my discouragement in serving God is a perceived lack of appreciation, lack of impact or open criticism. I think one of Satan's lies is, “No one will notice and no one cares, do whatever you want.” The question in that moment is, “How much worship does Jesus deserve?”

PRAYER
Jesus, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. You have created me. You have created all that I will touch and see today. May You be worshiped in my thousands of hidden thoughts. May all my actions be for You first and foremost. Deliver me from the lesser ends of making an impact or winning the praise of others. In my life Jesus, be glorified today.

Through the Windshield: The Road Ahead

Deuteronomy 2:7
7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

On the way to Colorado yesterday, Sheree and I were meditating on this verse together. As we were looking at long stretches of road in West Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, my mind was drawn to the Israelites wanderings in the desert. I do so much to prepare for a 13 hour trip to Creede, Colorado. I pack plenty of food and water. I even have the GPS coordinates downloaded onto my phone. In 13 hours, we traveled well over 800 miles. I was struck by the staggering nature of the miracle God perform when he led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years when I read Deuteronomy 2:7. As an enjoyer of modern technology, I can read these stories as if they are no big deal. A question rose up in me, do I believe God could see me through anything? And not only that, do I really believe God could see my family and friends and my church through their own deserts? Sometimes it is really painful to me to stand and watch others journey through the desert. And it's really hard for me to trust God on their behalf.

PRAYER
I believe that you are a God who blesses your people. I admit that it is often very hard for me to see or understand Your blessing. I believe that You are God who watches over Your people. I admit that I often live as though You are reluctant to look my way. I believe that You are a God, who uses the deserts to make us complete. I admit that joy does not come easily for me in these times. I believe that You are a God, who does not leave us or forsake us. I admit that I often miss the tangible evidence of this truth all around me and at the cross of Jesus.