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What is it about an awe-inspiring experience that leaves such a powerful memory in our minds? I was a senior in high school, standing in the driveway of our house in Decatur, Illinois. Someone drove up and reported Lee Harvey Oswald had killed President Kennedy. I was speechless. That unforgettable moment was engraved in my mind. We all have had such moments. When I was 5 years old, kneeling at a chair in a church basement in South Sioux Nebraska, I surrendered my life to Jesus. That picture was so imprinted in my mind that it is still very real to me. I suspect it is our response to the shock and awe of a significant, unexpected experience. It also appears when the event involves God, it produces a life change in a person.

The prophet Isaiah already believed in God when he had a profound, life-changing encounter with God (Isaiah 6:1-8). It took his prophetic ministry to a much higher level after this. Saul, later named Paul, was convinced he was doing God’s work when he took part in stoning Stephen, one of the first deacons of the first church in Jerusalem. (Acts 7:54-60) He enthusiastically cheered on those throwing stones, holding their clothes, until Stephen crumbled to the ground in death. As a terrorist, he took a trip to Damascus to imprison and kill others who called themselves members of ‘the way’ or Christians, as we know them today.

He later (Acts 22:6-12) tells of how he encountered an incredibly bright light from heaven. Jesus spoke to him personally in such a way he knew it was the same Jesus who had been crucified earlier. He experienced such profound awe it dramatically altered his worldview. It sent his life into a dramatically different trajectory. It changed him from being a terrorist of the Christ-followers to being one of them. Not all awe-inspiring moments are equal or have the same radically transforming effect. However, when those experiences involve a connection with God, the person is significantly changed.

The late Dallas Willard, former head of the Philosophy department at USC, and his wife Jane, a psychotherapist, found it was God’s active presence that resolved traumas and social disorders. I have witnessed such changes occurring in anti-social individuals, as well as addictions of various sorts, and very unreligious people. It has been when I have sensed God’s formidable presence when reflecting on the Bible that my life has continued to be transformed. However, I do not understand how, when, or what exactly happens at that moment. I can only call it a God-initiated, awe-encounter with God.     

To be candid, I have often wondered why God does not encounter everyone in that way. I can only say such experiences are very real. However, God is sovereign in what and when He does such a thing. But I can also say, a person can position themselves to increase the chances of God’s Spirit revealing Himself to them. Sincerely seeking in the Bible to gain more knowledge of God’s character, core values, ways, and truths has been amazingly effective for me. Another enhancing element is having a humble, open heart and mind that He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else (Jeremiah 29:13, MSG)

How are you positioning yourself to experience the transforming awe of God’s presence?

A charlatan is a person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skill—a wanna-be or fraud. The lead character, Professor Harold Hill, in the Broadway musical, The Music Man, falsely claimed to be a Gary Indiana schooled musician. As a traveling salesman, he sold musical instruments to children. Partially because people could so relate to the storyline, the musical was a tremendous success in the sixties. Being a charlatan has been common throughout history. A couple of examples in the Bible would be Simon, the magician (sorcerer), and the seven sons of Sceva, who was a Jewish chief priest. Charlatans have shown up in every professional field thinkable. Sadly, they are also in the religious world, which has done great harm to the name of Christ and Christianity.

If the truth is told, all of us have tried to leave a false impression of being more respectable or knowledgeable than we really are. This is frequently seen when we make ourselves appear to be ideal parents when we are not, put on a cheerful face while crying on the inside, or look successful when our possessions are all owned by the bank. It has been said, you can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Our children know our imperfections, our banker knows our debt load and our mentor knows the deep pain we carry.

Today, we also can be a charlatan about spirituality. For example, when it is politically correct, politicians present themselves as being deeply spiritual. Yet, the legislation they advocate stands in complete opposition to what God’s Word teaches. While this may be common among national politicians, it is equally common among civic leaders and churchgoers. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be genuinely spiritual, but we must be authentic and be honest about our struggles to walk out our faith.

There is no such thing as secondhand spirituality. It is not transferred from parents or friends. It can only advance in a consistent, life-giving relationship with Christ. The life and power of God’s kingdom can only grow out of passionately searching to know God’s ways, value system, character. Something indescribable happens as the Holy Spirit shapes Christ’s character within. Paul’s exceptional revelations, wisdom, and courage were birthed out of his chosen lifestyle of surrendering his rights, exercising self-control, and selfless dedication. Sceva’s sons tried to bypass all the vital building blocks that transformed Paul into the man of God he was. They had not been stoned and left for dead, beaten with whips, shipwrecked, or known hostile rejection, all of which shaped him into the man of God he was.

There is a deeply felt attachment with God that creates a mutual mindset with Him. This can be experienced only by a personal revelation of the awesomeness of God Himself. Jesus’ disciples could not do what Jesus did simply by seeing Him do things or hearing His teaching. They first had to have Jesus breathe on them (John 20:22) and later be filled with His Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:4).

The breath-taking truth is, the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9, NLT2). By choosing to honestly surrender yourself completely to being an apprentice of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will shape you into a modern-day man or woman of God. Imagine working hand in hand with God, doing what only He can do through you. The learning experience will last a lifetime, but the rewards are indescribably wonderful.

How do you define love? Is all love the same? We love our pet dog, cat, or hamster. We love food, flying, or fraternizing with friends. We love money, possessions, or our political position. We love control, independence, status, or popularity. We love to travel, dance, eat, have sexual relations (making love), hunting, or shopping. We love our wives, children, extended family, or friends. We also love the triune God. Are there different degrees of love or ways to show it? Is it soft and cuddly or expressionless and cold? What is your unique definition of love?

Each parent has her own definition of love. Therefore, each has his own predisposition as to how he wants to raise his children. Different definitions of love often lead to marital strife. Church leaders or church bodies also have different perspectives on what love means. They then teach and lead those in their congregation to understand God and His character, values, and way accordingly. However, what is the Bible’s definition of God’s love?

Without question, the greatest truth found in the Bible is that God is love. How might our definition of love affect our expectations of His love? Does it mean He is like a grey-haired grandfather in Heaven who has a preference of how we should behave? When we misbehave, He then just smiles and says something to the effect, “boys will be boys”? Or is He similar to the proverbial Santa Claus who gives us undeserved gifts?

If you cannot fully accept that God genuinely loves you, you will be incapable of experiencing His joy, hope, confidence, freedom, and all He has planned for your life. And, if your view of God’s love is not comprising the whole of Scripture, you will be limited in how you can relate to Him, including your expectations of His responses to your life choices.

Paul the apostle understood and accepted the heights and depths of God’s love. He wrote I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little (Philippians 4:12, NLT2). He never doubted God’s love when being imprisoned or abused. Before his conversion, he held the robes of those who stoned Stephen, a devote believer. God forgave him for that when he surrendered his rights to God’s control. Interestingly, there are only two occurrences of stoning mentioned in the New Testament—Stephen’s and yes, you guessed it correctly, the apostle Paul’s. We do not know for certain, but his stoning may have resulted in what Paul referred to as his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7). Whatever the case, Paul never doubted all was included in God’s amazing love. I have wondered if, while being stoned, it did not remind him of his own participation in Stephen’s stoning. Forgiveness does not necessarily eliminate the consequences of our bad choices. He did not see his experience as being God’s punishment for his past choices but wrote we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28, NLT2). From God’s perspective, love is not ONLY soft and smooth. Tough love is often a greater expression of love than tender love. God loved His Only Son yet planned for His Son to endure the passion week and suffer death. 

What level of God’s love have you experienced? Have you been giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20, ESV)? Doing that allows you to experience God’s fullness of joy, hope, and complete freedom.

Have you found it interesting to see so much ‘Be Kind’ signage and promotions throughout our community? What do you think has triggered such a thing? Isn’t Being Kind what parents are expected to teach their children to practice as they grow up? Or could it be that it has inadvertently failed to be practiced or taught at home these days? Dysfunction at home has always been around in some form, but given the news these days, it has become more blatant and severe as life progresses.

The ‘Be Kind’ must stem from an ancient evil practice that has gone on steroids. That ancient evil practice is blaming, pointing a finger at someone else, and declaring him/her to be responsible. It is a sure sign of emotional immaturity, especially insecurity. As early as the third chapter in the first book of the Bible, immediately after Adam and Eve sinned (acted on their disbelief), Adam blamed God, and Eve blamed the serpent. Their blame did not impress God, nor did it result in anything healthy and good. Blaming is very rampant throughout Bible history.  

Blame is our fallen nature’s defense mechanism. Children are born with it. They commonly blame others for their misbehavior. It is reinforced by their parents and later schoolteachers and media. They watch and hear their parents blame caregivers, teachers, coaches, neighbors and their kids, the economy, the politicians, and the list goes on and on. As they grow, they hear their schoolteacher place blame when they teach the critical race theory or how some sector of society is responsible for a common evil. They see the blame skill refined on YouTube, TV shows, and news networks who blatantly blame the right or left wings, a sector of society, or our history. It is exceedingly rare for anyone to own bad choices or accept acts of imperfect humanity, then take initiative-taking steps to help solve the problem. Kindness and unity are vaporizing before our eyes. Regretfully, instead of churches being a beacon of love, kindness, and unity, their in-house fighting has become the butt of jokes. It is only a matter of time before this growing discord evolves into anarchy, which will bring down our wonderful nation. Blame has never solved a problem and never will. Like cancer, blame and hatred are spreading into every fabric of society.

It might be said the solution would be to train for personal, emotional maturity. If a person would just grow up, kindness and community would again prevail. It also might be said the solution would be to train for personal spiritual maturity. If a person is spiritually mature, they would naturally be emotionally mature. Could the latter be the more complete answer? If you consider Jesus’ poise when going through the passion week and Paul’s words written from prison for us to rejoice in the Lord, both were superb models of spiritual and emotional maturity. Discipling others to be like Jesus must begin with shaping a heart like His, which by its nature includes His emotional maturity.

I am sobered by the instability of my emotional maturity. I am better than I was, yet still far from living as Jesus or Paul lived. I can be known to blame others, even those I love, instead of humbly owning my failure and working out a healthy solution. This is especially true when I’m tired or under pressure. I suspect my emotional maturity may very well be a gauge that reminds me I have much farther to go on my journey to spiritual maturity. This revelation to me has intensified my quest to find fresh ways for my character to be reshaped by more intense exposure to Christ’s presence. As this happens, I believe Jesus’ love for His Father and others will naturally be more evident in my thoughts and life. My dream is to have more of the poise Jesus expressed in the passion week and have Paul’s ability to write while in the deplorable prison conditions of his day, rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4, ESV). How about you?

Out of sight, out of mind, is an idiom of the past. It means it is easy to forget about someone when you have not seen them for a long time. A form of that statement is as old as Homer’s Greek Odyssey (ca. 50 b.c.). Unless something jogs my memory, I have forgotten nearly all my school and college friends and teachers. Why? Because I have not seen or connected with them for decades.

I have childhood memories of Christmas. I experienced a memorable encounter with the Christ of Christmas when I was five years old. However, I have continued having similar encounters with Him multiple times a week. This happens as I reflect on Bible passages and talk with Him in prayer. I do not forget Him because I connect with Him so frequently. In fact, I have a deeper sense of bonding with Him today than I did in my earlier years. 

I recently reflected on Isaiah 33. Those living in Jerusalem then had once encountered God. But through the years, their memories of those times had fossilized. As they did, their faith also had become dry, hollow tradition or rhetoric. Their experiences had become empty memories. We find the same thing had happened to Christ-followers in Ephesus. The beginning of their faith journey started around the time the apostle Paul visited their city. Acts 19 records something unbelievably powerful that had dramatically transformed their lives to the point. All kinds of witches and warlocks came out of the woodwork with their books of spells and incantations and made a huge bonfire of them. Someone estimated their worth at fifty thousand silver coins (Acts 19:19, MSG). At the price of silver today, they burned books worth millions of dollars. It would require something extremely dramatic to motivate someone to burn that kind of money!

Approximately 30 years later, something had drastically changed. While their mental belief and behavior remained stellar, through the apostle John (one of their former pastors), Christ told them they had left their first love for Him. The consequence of their secret heart change was stunning. He told them in Revelation 2:5 that unless they had a fresh life-giving encounter with Him, they would end up alongside the heathen. What had happened in those thirty years that was so different? It had nothing to do with their understanding of God or their behavior. The out of sight, out of mind idiom had taken its frightening toll.

We can know all about the Christmas story. We can understand Jesus’ life and death. We can do and say all the right things. We can sing Christmas carols, read the story of Jesus’ birth, watch or act out the Christmas drama. But if the awe of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us has become “old school” or just tradition, we have fallen prey to the idiom out of sight, out of mind.

We restore a warm relationship by considering how you became disconnected. Then intentionally taking time to again spending one-on-one time with that friend. It works the same way in your relationship with God. It may feel awkward when you initially seek reconnection with a friend or with God. But persistence with an open heart that is seeking His presence will result in a fresh, life-giving, and fruitful relationship.   

Imagine having three different phone lines to manage. One of those phone lines connected you to the doctor serving your physically failing but deeply loved parent. The confusing part is, both your other phones incessantly keep ringing. The other phone calls involve a wide variety of issues, but none as critical as that of your parent.

That word picture describes our mind as we walk through life. We pick one of the other two phones, get so caught up in the thoughts and emotions of the messages that we cannot hear the ringing of the most important phone call from the doctor serving your ailing parent.

God Calling

This happens frequently throughout each day, except in our case, the most important phone ringing is from our Heavenly Father. He calls to give us assurance, guidance, insight, or to correct our misguided notions. However, if we are so caught up in the emotions or intensity of the other phone messages, we miss the most important one.

Three days after Jesus died on the cross and on the very day He rose from the dead, two disciples were walking to a nearby community called Emmaus. They had been earnestly intending to follow Him, but they had also been listening to the messages on the phone depicting their personal dreams. This was not supposed to happen to their hero. Jesus’ death had virtually blown them out of the water because they had invested all they had believing He was the Messiah. They were commiserating about the confusing events that had just happened in Jerusalem. Their deeply invested dream had vaporized.

Jesus knew their condition, yet did not blame them for their confusion. Rather, He began walking alongside of them, entering their conversation. At the opportune time, He explained what the prophets of old had boldly, yet naively proclaimed in the Scripture. Note that He did not talk in parables; He helped them understand what portion they had of the Bible. What He said made the words in their Bible come alive. Yet, they had been so caught up with their spinning minds and emotions; they did not know this was Jesus with whom they walked and talked.  

It was AFTER Jesus left them; the pieces of their puzzle fell together. Then they said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 (NLT2). They did not recognize Jesus with their five senses. They recognized Him with something burning within them. The most important phone had been ringing all the time Jesus walked and talked to them, but they did not hear it ringing. Why? Their minds and emotions were louder than the still small ringing within them.

No Greater Pleasure

Have you been caught up in disturbing circumstances in life? Have your mind and emotions been smothering the soft, gentle ringing within your inner being? If so, it does not upset God! Instead, He walks alongside you, waiting patiently for you to recognize your heart burning within as you seek to reflect on what your Bible is saying to you. Like these two disciples, the Spirit waits for you to dial down your mind and emotions. Then take time to listen to the gentle burning within your spirit as He reveals Himself and His truth to you. There is NO GREATER PLEASURE than the awakening of God’s whispers to you as you meditate on what His Bible says to you.    

I recently read that a child smiles about four hundred times a day while an adult-only manages twenty. I am sure we could speculate on reasons that may be true. I wondered if that estimated number applied more to American children or those in a third-world country. It captivated me when, on a mission trip to Africa, seeing children there laugh and play all day with an empty plastic water bottle, an adult had thrown away. It caught my attention because I see a child playing with a pricey toy then leaving it in the street if another child shows up with a more popular toy. 

Could the smile variance have anything to do with the level of contentment of a child and an adult? A child can be happy and content to play all afternoon with a refrigerator box when an adult would soon fold it up and throw it away—unless he thought up something to do with it like catch oil drips from the family car.

There is no end to craving something more. Contentment is the foundation of true happiness. Happiness that comes from fulfilling a desire is like a mirage in the desert—it is only a figment of the imagination. It is like planning for a dream vacation only to find out shortly after arriving at the location the air has nearly gone out of the balloon. Contentment alone offers the best path to true happiness. 

After expressing his gratitude when he received a gift while in prison, the apostle Paul wrote, actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content, whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy, whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Philippians 4:11-12 (MSG) Notice what he wrote after living in that prison for several years. When requesting prayer for himself. He asked them to pray that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:19-20 (ESV) That prayer request is stunning to me! I suspect I would have been feeling sorry for myself and requested prayer to be delivered from being chained to prison guards!

Paul could only make that kind of prayer request because he had virtually “kissed that chain that bound him” which liberated him from his circumstance. His dreams now focused on being able to speak boldly about the good news of the kingdom of God when standing before the most powerful man in the world, the Caesar of Rome. The contentment he wrote about in his letter to the Philippians was not religious rhetoric, it was the real deal. Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have. Paul found full contentment in his intimate relationship with Christ. Anything more than that was nice, but unnecessary. Happiness will only be a fleeting shadow for those who cannot appreciate what they already have. As Paula Rollo said, contentment does not mean that I desire nothing. It is the simple decision to be content with what I have.

Do you have that kind of contentment? Or, do you want wealth, power, the esteem of others, or success that must be more satisfying than the life you live? The face of contentment is genuine gratitude, a very grateful heart. If you find you have been chasing happiness yet lack contentment, I strongly urge you to pause long enough to realign your values so you can be content with what you already have.  

While the mind serves a vital role in spiritual formation, it is NOT the beginning or end. The mind cannot transform anyone into a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Only God’s faith embedded within a person can do that. The mind IS, however, a gatekeeper of whether spiritual formation occurs or continues. Let me put it into perspective.

God’s Design

God comprises three persons, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” Genesis 1:26 (ESV). He then created humans to also have three parts. Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7 (ESV) The apostle Paul identified those three elements by writing, now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) The mind, not the body’s brain, is one of the three functions of the soul and serves a pivotal role in a person’s spiritual condition.

All three of human components (spirit, soul and body) took part in man’s first sin and therefore must take part in his salvation. When the woman saw (reasoned with the mind/soul) that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate (body), and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (ESV) The role of Eve’s spirit in doubting or choosing not to believe God’s word was implicit in the context. This disobedience was the fall of humanity. For salvation to occur, all three components within each individual must take part in reversing the rebellion (disobedience) before spiritual regeneration can occur. Paul explained if you confess with your mouth (body) that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart (spirit) that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV) In this case, the soul’s decision to confess and believe in the heart or spirit, though not stated, is yet implicit in the context. 

A Blind Spot
A blind mind will lead a person to living like a spiritual zombie. The natural person (soul/mind) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (ESV)

Divine Sight for the Blind Spot

Paul prayed, … that the God … may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, … Ephesians 1:16-18 (ESV)  The goal of a Christian is to attain [through sequential enlightenments]… the … knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Eph. 4:13 (ESV)

Summarized:

• No matter how much information the mind knows about God or practices right living, it alone cannot redeem man.
• The mind serves as a gatekeeper to intimate knowledge of and relationship with Christ.
• When the mind receives a divine revelation, then surrenders its control to God, the spirit and body will do their parts.
• The Spirit of God will recreate the person into being a child of God.
• As that process repeats itself in one’s life, that person will become spiritually mature, growing into the full stature of Jesus Christ.

About a year ago, Connie had her annual physical. To our surprise, her nurse practitioner told her she needed to be admitted into the hospital at once. For an unknown reason, her hemoglobin count had dropped to 6.5 (supposed to be 12+). She received two units of blood and went through tests to figure out the cause for this severe of a drop. They diagnosed her with a serious blood disorder that could take her life. We were told she may have only 5 months left to live. This shocking news sent us into a semi-crisis mode.

Several friends faced life-threatening situations; two required hospitalizations to survive, one a month of in-depth, outpatient treatment, and another prematurely lost a parent. A baby’s instinctive response, when it senses it is falling, is to throw out their hands to grasp something to break their fall. Adults have the same self-preservation response when facing a crisis. That initial response does not define us, but how we respond after the adrenaline rush does. We choose to either continue to use whatever control mechanisms we can imagine, such as place blame, go into the attack mode, withdraw, or go into depression. Or we can draw close to God and seek Him to direct our subsequent response. This secondary response reveals who we really believe is our hope. Genuine biblical belief automatically walks out whatever we believe in our hearts to be true. Saying we believe differs from living it out. If we decide to resort to what we or someone else can do, it shows our trust is in ourselves or another human, not God. But if we choose to dial down our initial panic and seek God’s comfort and wise direction; it shows that God is our source of strength. God does not condemn us for not choosing Him because He already knew what we believe in our hearts. He is attempting to enlighten us. Such trials reveal to us what is in our hearts. God uses these traumatic trials to allow us to see and then realign or refine the trajectory of our future relationship with God.

Paul explains the inner workings of these times in our life in Romans 6:10-18. He writes, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:11-12, NKJV). There are two important words here. The first is stand which is more passive than the other which is wrestle, which involves initiative and action. Paul does not use the word wrestle to suggest we are to mobilize our human initiative to take physical, mental, or emotional and go into our attack mode. Notice what he means. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:13, NKJV). The very first word of the next verse again is stand. The wrestling we must do goes on in the battlefield of our minds and emotions, not our body. It involves deciding who we rely on to resolve the issue. Will we choose to trust in our own ingenuity or resources or in God’s strength and wisdom? To be clear, God MAY have us engage in an initiative-taking activity, but if that is the case, His wisdom, not our human ingenuity, will direct and drive the action.    

For certain, the wrestling that goes on within is brutal!! Jesus sweat, as it were, drops of blood when He wrestled in the garden. But after surrendering His will to His Father, He received such profound peace that He scarcely spoke when enduring sordid abuse. Connie and I have walked through those dark, dark times multiple times and know this truth works. Our Bible God is faithful, wise and almighty. The closer your relationship is to Him, the more you will trust Him.

When reflecting on Psalm 23:1, one simple word stood out to me. It was the word ‘is.’ The Lord is my Shepherd. Many find comfort in this famous verse. Indeed, it is a very poignant verse, loaded with inspiring and challenging truths. The word “is” in the verse refers to something present, not past or future. It does not read; The Lord was or will be my Shepherd.

I have read that some sheep walk along the fenced area looking for a weak or broken-down place to get out of the pasture to find better grass. If there is no fence, they wander off searching for greener pastures. While a person may be their shepherd, when those sheep are walking the fence line seeking for an escape or wandering off, those animals are not allowing the shepherd to be their shepherd. They want to shepherd themself. Anyone can read or quote Psalm 23:1 if they like, but if they are not following Christ’s laws, precepts, or desires, they cannot honestly say the Lord is my Shepherd. Only those investing in seeking to follow Christ’s leadership can say that.

This also applies to the word ‘believe.’ Biblical belief is not a cerebral thought or mental assent. It is a mindset prepared to act as though it was true, in contrast to being an ideal. Jesus said, if anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23, ESV). John put it this way, for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3, ESV). Jesus’ teachings are truly clear about hearing and doing, in contrast to hearing and knowing.      

We cannot just say we believe in or love God, we must express it in all we do and say. Understanding God’s love for you in its full dimensions will set you free to enjoy all that is yours as a Christian. If you only can say you believe and cannot emotionally and intuitively accept the truth that God loves you, you will be limited in how you can relate to Him. When He disciplines you, you will not take it as an expression of His love. Instead, you may resent Him. When God says no to a request that is less than His best for you, you will falsely presume He does not care about you. Without a clear understanding and acceptance of God’s love for you, you will be disoriented to Him and to what He wants to do in your life. If you will accept God’s love, however, you will be able to return love to God as well as to others (1Jn 4:19).

Jesus’ last great commission to all who follow Him was to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey [to do] all the commands I have given you… (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT2) Does this mean we must be sinless in our journey through life? Certainly not—any more than we expect our children to obey perfectly or do absolutely everything we tell them. Just as we are more concerned with the attitude of our child’s heart than with their perfect behavior, so God is far more concerned about the attitude of our heart than with our sinless behavior. He is closely watching how we respond after we realize we have broken His laws. Are we humble and repentant or do we blow it off by telling ourselves God’s grace covers my sins?

The veracity of your love and trust in God is exposed in the attitude of your heart and what you fear. If you sense within that your belief is too shallow, there is great hope. By investing more deeply by scheduling time to get to know His character, value system, and ways through meditation on His written Word, you will be rewarded with a growing love and trust in Him.