No Style Points

I must confess.
I missed the State of the Union address a few days ago.
By the time the day's "loose ends" were all tied up and put away, the "analysts" were busy processing the speech.  I did catch Senator Mark Rubio's response to the "State of the Union."  As expected, the political jousting began.  But, suddenly.... drama!  The senator from Florida paused in the middle of his rebuttal speech and....got a drink of water.  Simple quenching of thirst?  Faux pau?  Political gaff?

What I found interesting in the pundit's "analysis" of the dramatic gulp was the common suggestion that he may have wagered his political future (i.e., a potential 2016 presidential run) on this water episode.  Why?  Because he forfeited "style" points.  And, style is in big time.

It once again reminds me that we are hungry for all the wrong things as a nation.  In fact, we aren't hungry at all.  We are distracted and biased.  We speak of concern for the things that "matter" only to make a big deal out of a "drink of water" in the middle of a speech.  We aren't into "substance."  We look for opportunity - any opportunity - to destroy the opposition.  Any bullet will do the trick...even "style."

I wish style was only a political issue.  Unfortunately, it isn't.

We can do it in the body of Christ, too.  Style comes in a lot of shapes and forms.  Our preoccupation with style reveals some scary things about how we think about the Word, the kingdom, what it means to be the people of God, the gospel and a host of other things.

This all makes me think about Paul's reminder to the Corinthians in the first two chapters of First Corinthians.  Before they bought in lock, stock and barrel to an understanding and "telling" of the gospel that gave it more "style" points, Paul reminds them that God chose the foolishness of the message to confound those who are wise according to this world (1:18-21).  The One who designed the gospel said "tell them about Christ and him crucified."  In fact, Paul says, "I determined to know nothing among you but Jesus and him crucified" (2:2).  Later he says, "For my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom but in demonstration of the spirit and of power that your faith should not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (2:4-5).

Our world and American society in particular are seductive.  In a society enamored with style, the surreal and the "next three minutes", it is imperative that God's people remain cognizant of the "substance" of what God is doing in the gospel for the sake of distracted humanity.  To borrow again from Paul, "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God" (Corinthians 4:2).

We are all about water....living water.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Lord, My Desire Is To Be Like You…

What do you do at the end of the day?  You’re exhausted after dealing with your sick two and four year old.  You are five and ½ months pregnant.  You live 5,000 miles from the nearest family member and your husband is hunting black bear with his bow in the wilds of Alaska.  You are unsure of his return time….and it is the day before Mother’s Day!  Do you feel sorry for yourself and give into the bitterness and resentment that runs like an underground hot spring in the depths of your heart, letting it spew out like a geyser on those around you?  Or do you turn away from anger and give into the loving kindnesses and comfort of God’s Holy Spirit instead?

You may not have been in a circumstance like this, but I know that each one of us faces temptation every day of our lives.  As a mother of young children with another one on the way this is just one example of temptation I faced this week.  Sin desires us like a ravenous wolf crouching at the door.  Just as Cain had a choice to “do well and not let sin rule over him”, we too have that choice.

As a young adult working out my faith independently of my parents the temptations were far different than they are now, but the attack is still the same.  Satan seeks to distort the truth (John 8:44), entice me with my own desires (James 1:14-15), and ultimately lead me away to be devoured (1 Peter 5:8).  Generally the assault is now on my relationships; my marriage, my friendships, and with my children.

We see Satan’s three-fold attack illustrated in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-8).  Satan first seeks to twist and distort the Word of God so that we will not believe or be saved.  Once someone has heard the good news and acted on their belief, he tempts them hoping they will fall away.  Finally when a person of faith shows a real commitment, Satan fashions a special strategy of distraction so that they won’t mature.  This is where he wants to keep us: distracted, ineffective, weighed down by the cares of this world...not bearing fruit.

We must be aware of Satan’s pursuit and act in that awareness.  Jesus warns us that temptation is necessary (Matthew 18:7) and we can easily play into Satan’s web of deceit if we act as if we are somehow impervious to temptation.  A wise man I know calls it, “putting on our spiritual make-up”.  So often we go through life unaware of the spiritual battle waging around us and come Sunday morning we put on our “spiritual make-up”, go to worship and act as if everything is just dandy.  One of two things is happening:  Either our senses have been dulled to a point where we are like the seed in the thorns, entangled in the web of this world and its desires, or we deceive ourselves and our Christian brothers and sisters into believing we have it all together.  Either choice is preventing us from having an honest and good heart that bears fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).

I thank God we have a Savior that is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, was tempted as we are and still without sin (Hebrews 4:15).  My prayer during times of temptation is summed up in the following praise hymn:

“Lord, my desire is to be like you.
Say the things you say…
Do the things you do…
Let me hear your still voice…
Through all the other noise…
So that I can be…
Just what you want me to be.”

Dana Jaworski
Anchor Point, AK

Peace in the Struggle

We are all in a struggle! Whether or not we like it, we are all in a struggle. We struggle physically, emotionally, and spiritually to survive in this world. We struggle physically against disease, weakness, and the comprehensive effects of aging. We struggle emotionally to “feel good.” We want to feel good so that we can accomplish all that needs to be done for the benefit of others and ourselves. We struggle to live spiritually in a fleshly body (Gal 5:16-17).

The world around us caters to the physical, but our souls long for more attention, even peace!

Our body, soul, and spirit can long so intensely for peace in the midst of this struggle that we can begin to despise the struggle itself. We all tire of the struggle and at times may wish for the struggle to be over.

The Bible describes our human struggle, as God’s people, according to God’s purpose for us. The Bible never offers us freedom from the struggle, during this life. It does, however, offer us perspective that can guide us and strengthen our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Moses says in  Ps 90:10, 12 –  The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass, and we fly away. . . . Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Paul would encourage the saints in Ephesus to see Christ’s power, reign, and dominion over all things for the church (Eph 1:19–22) as they face their struggle against the devil’s schemes.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Eph 6:10-18 NIV).

May God help us to see our struggle for what it really is, and seek His armor to stand strong in it! For Jesus can save us spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess 5:23–24). He is faithful and He will do it!

Peace (in your struggle).

Jay Don Poindexter

Merkel, Texas