Following Is Leading.

When I was a little girl and someone asked me what I wanted to be for the Kingdom, I never said, “I want to be a follower!” No, every child wants to grow up and “be a leader!” We are raised with this mindset. Our culture perpetuates it. Seek out leadership positions. Be louder than all the other voices in the crowd. Second place is the first loser. Following is weak. Leadership is strong. Leadership is achieved, earned, sought after with dedication and constant perseverance. No one talks about how hard they work to be a follower.

But think about how the New Testament addresses this:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16.24).

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8.12).

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10.4).

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matt. 7.13).

“If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15.14).

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray” (1 John 3.7).

The majority of the references to humans leading in the New Testament have a negative connotation. The references to humans following are, for the most part, positive. Not only that, but we are commanded to follow. There is no place in scripture where we are commanded to “be leaders!” We are ultimately called to lead by following Christ. That isn’t loud and flashy and popular, but it’s right. The best kind of leadership that we can embody is found in our willingness to follow the Lord before we do anything else. That’s conducive to natural and unaffected leadership, that is lacking in arrogance and abundant in joy.

Lead by following. The very idea is wrought with humility. And since Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even to death on a cross,” I’d say that’s a noble attitude to assume.

God,

Teach us to seek You first, before any earthly leadership position. Help us to remember that You will do the leading, and if you choose to lead us leadership opportunities, we will follow You there and be blessed by them. Thank you for loving us, and for being the Good Shepherd for us to follow home. We love you.

Through Jesus,

Amen.

Erin E. Daugherty, Abilene Christian University

Fate Versus Free Will

In the movie The Adjustment Bureau (2011), Matt Damon stars as a politician running for office. A chance encounter with a pretty ballerina leads him to want to get to know her better. But every time he tries to meet her, mysterious forces keep them apart. Eventually, Damon learns about a complicated system of agents who work to manipulate people’s lives to keep them on the path fated for them. According to the movie plot, most people live the life fated for them, but once in a while someone like Damon comes along to challenge that predetermined path. The movie is a dramatic rendition of the question of fate and free will in our lives.

Many people today believe that fate controls their lives. I encountered this belief as a parent when my daughter Carrie was only nine. As we were leaving for school one morning, I told her to buckle her seat belt. She asked why, and I said it would keep her safe in case of an accident. She replied, “It won’t make any difference because if God wants me to live, I’ll live; if he wants me to die, I’ll die.” There it is folks—the philosophy of fate in the words of a child.

These competing philosophies—fate versus free will—are not new to our contemporary lives. In the 16th and 17th centuries we read about the debate between the Arminians who believed in free will and the Calvinists who advocated predestination. The Calvinist perspective plays out in the lives of people today when we believe we have no control over our lives. Blaming events of our lives on fate becomes a cop out if we believe we are no longer responsible for the decisions in our lives. Arminianism offers us more control over our lives, but it, too, can be dangerous if it removes God’s influence from the decisions we make.

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-31 illustrates God’s role in the decisions we make. When the younger son asked his father for his inheritance, left home, and squandered his inheritance in foolish living, the father did not stop him. Even though the father may have known that the son would waste the money on profligate living, he let the son leave. Once the son left, he didn’t go find the son and make him return. He waited until the son himself decided to return home. As a result, the son was able to enjoy all his father’s blessings.

God gave us free will—even when we use that free will to rebel against Him. But God also gives us wisdom to make good decisions (James 1:5) and answers prayers for guidance (Psalm 73:24). Through prayer and study, we can submit our will to our Heavenly Father and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

That day in the car when Carrie said God had already decided whether she would live or die, I answered, “God gave you a brain, and God gave you free will. He expects us to use them both.”

Nancy Shankle

Abilene, Texas

Reward

In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt.6), Jesus started talking about doing Christian deeds. You know, like saying prayers and helping the poor. He used the word “reward” several times. Sometimes He uses it to mean the reward God gives us. Other times He means a different reward.

He wants us to know why we do what we do.

He starts with a warning. “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them.” If the reason we pray or give is to impress men, we get nothing from God. If we want to impress men, then that’s all the reward we get.

On the other hand, if we try to stay out of the limelight, God sees and will reward you. He even says God sees in secret. Now that is a sobering thought!

God knows our motives. So we have the good deeds we do or the prayers we pray. And we have the “why” we did the deeds and prayed the prayers.

In verse 5, Jesus said, “If you did it for the praise you receive, well…that’s the reward you get.”

I didn’t get far in this scripture before I stopped thinking about Pharisees and started thinking about me!

Dear Heavenly Father, who is almighty and eternal. You know everything including what I think. You know my motives and schemes. This should be a comforting thought, but sometimes it is troubling. You know my pride. You know how much I like praise. Please forgive me for claiming glory that is yours. Help me to hide my own glory and to seek your reward. Please give me the wisdom to discern my motives. Help me to give you all the glory.  In the name of Your Son, Amen.

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas

Beyond

“All your words are true…” Psalm 119:160a (NIV)

I’m beyond hurt.
I’m beyond confused.
I’m beyond stressed.
I’m beyond tired…physically, emotionally and mentally.

I could go on and on. But then I would be beyond depressed.  When feeling like this, I realize I have to get my mind out of the gutter and anchor myself on God’s promises.  I have to be intentional to focus on a different set of “beyond” statements or I quickly find myself in a pit. I know this from experience. Even if the “beyond” statements above are true, there are others that are also true.

I am beyond blessed: “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”  John 1:16
I am beyond strong: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9
I am beyond secure: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27
I am beyond safe: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.”  Psalm 138:7 

I am beyond hopeful: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11
I am beyond loved: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”  Psalm 13:5
I am beyond valued: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16
I am beyond forgiven: Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Luke 7:48
I am beyond found:  Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”  Luke 15:4-6
I am beyond complete: “So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:10 (NLT)

I can’t rust my feelings, or even circumstances, to tell me how I am. They change like the wind. Up one moment and easily shot down the next. His Word however, never changes. Its ceaseless truths go beyond emotions and whatever my day holds to anchor me to hope.

Some days, weeks or even seasons of life are discouraging and we can’t see beyond the pain, hurt and stress. Searching God’s Word for His view of our circumstances and us lifts our eyes off the problems and onto Him. He’s our ultimate source of truth and encouragement!

Dear Lord, thank you for recording Your Word for me to reflect on and find truth in. Thank you for giving hope and peace beyond my feelings and circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Casey Dacus

The Game Changers

She left a comfortable city life to follow an Adventurer.  Her beauty was legendary and caused Kings to part with their riches.  Her husband was going to be the leader of a great nation; she, his queen.  Her children were to inherit great riches and land.  

I am sure Sarah wanted what most women wanted:  children, a home, and security.  However, her life was anything but secure, and she spent her first 90 years barren.  Having those circumstances before her and a life of unmet expectations could easily have resulted in her abandoning Abraham and his quest with God. But, Sarah did the difficult thing.  She didn’t give way to fear, but courageously walked through life submitting her will to God and to her husband.

1 Peter 3:5-6 tells us of Sarah’s faith and submission.
5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Our culture today rages against the home, stealing its joy and leaving it devastated by resentment and dissatisfaction.  The Deceiver tucks many newlyweds into bed with a blanket of fear.  Its fabric is woven from an imagined loss of freedom, materialism, unrealized dreams, and self-centeredness.  It isn’t long before one or both people begin looking elsewhere for satisfaction. Again, Satan easily provides an escape through explicit TV shows and movies, networking sites, and many other alluring past times.  He defines “wife” and “mother” as an over-whelmed, under-valued, angry person.  

Ladies, have you ever felt resentment for giving up a career in order to start a family? Ever wondered if college was a waste of time and money?  Or felt like you weren’t living up to your “full potential” while changing diapers and making suppers?

We know that nothing worth having or doing in this life is going to be easy.  It is the process of going through challenging times and trusting God when we despair that allows us to be triumphant and realize our FULLEST potential.  This realization makes it easier.  There is glory in this role…there is power and joy to behold.  God didn’t mean for it to be drudgery and pain.  Jesus came to make our burdens lighter not heavier.  WE are the game changers, ladies! Let’s be like the woman in the cartoon where Satan is looking on at a lady getting out of bed and saying, “Great, she’s up!”  

Wives are called to submit; but what does that mean and how do you do it?  God has thankfully shown us His plan.  The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:33:
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

God recently used the book, Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires and The Respect He Most Deserves, by Emmerson Eggerichs to transform my understanding of biblical submission and respect.  Eggerichs makes a good case for Ephesians 5:33 not only telling husbands to unconditionally love their wives, but for wives to unconditionally respect their husbands.  “Unconditional respect?!” you say… impossible, right?  Surely, God didn’t mean it…but, I believe he did.  I also believe he shows us a great example in Sarah.

It was Sarah’s role as Abraham’s helpmeet to do whatever she could to facilitate his leadership in their home.  She respected his wishes even in the face of dangerous enemies.  She was even taken to be a part of Pharaoh’s harem!  I can’t imagine a more scary or hopeless situation.  The point is this:  God never forgot her, her circumstances, or his promise.  Even when husbands don’t behave lovingly or act in a manner deserving respect, God can and will equip us.  Even when they act in their best interests like Abraham did, God can use us to carry out his perfect plans.  Through Him, we are able!

Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.   

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for the splendid role of wife and mother.  As my baby cries in the next room, my toddler yearns for my attention and supper is burning…I know you are in control and leading me through it all.  Thank you for the joy-filled moments, the loving cuddles, the wonders of a loving marriage, and most importantly for Jesus, who makes it all possible.  Amen.

Dana Jaworski
Anchor Point, AK