Our Defining Moment

Have you ever thought about your defining moment? Would it be something that makes you proud or brings you shame? Perhaps it involves a diagnosis, a traumatic event, or the demise of a relationship? If the memory causes you pain, perhaps you wish you could have a "do-over."

Peter tells us that "Your great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) The devil likes nothing more than to remind us of our failures, regrets, and disappointments. He knows this will stifle our joy and peace and cause us to question God's love for us.

What if we choose to make Jesus' victory over sin and death OUR defining moment? "He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities." (Isaiah 53:5a) "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalms 103:12)

We can rejoice in spite of our circumstances! God provided the ultimate sacrifice and offered us the amazing gift of His Son's defining moment! His gift supersedes anything we could ever say or do and we have victory over our enemy when we rest in His provision. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) We find our true identity in Christ.

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:16)
 

God's Amazing Color Palette

 

Autumn has been taking her sweet time showing off her fabulous colors this year, as if refusing to change might somehow delay the inevitable. However, we have been having some cooler weather, a fact which has been beckoning me into the woods. And so, today I ventured out to my favorite trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I was surprised to find that the forest floor was already layered with gold, orange, and brown. As I started out on the trail, I looked intently for the gravel hidden beneath the leaves, not wanting to leave the “beaten path” because hopefully that would mean I would be less likely to step on a snake. I can't help but imagine how well an eastern diamondback would camouflage himself under this blanket of leaves.

The breathtaking photo ops were endless and I'm pretty sure that today's total number of pictures taken would top my list, if I had one. My eyes were in a constant state of motion, gazing at the colorful treetops against the blue and white backdrop and back to the vibrant carpet beneath my feet. This hike was destined to be a saunter instead of my normal quick-paced attempt at aerobic exercise. And surprisingly, I was not put off by this fact, in spite of my need to burn calories. I was distinctly aware of the need to savor each moment.

Toward the end of my hike, the wind picked up and suddenly I was captivated by leaves swirling and dancing all around me. It was a magical moment and evidence that this particular hike was truly a gift from God. Rain was predicted later in the day and I knew that the combination of wind and rain meant that the lifespan of this year's deciduous leaves was already coming to an end. Even though it seemed to me that they had just started changing, I was keenly aware that fall is fickle, sometimes giving us weeks of visual pleasure and other times losing her leaves almost before they've been allowed to show-off. This year seems destined to be the latter.

Instead of driving straight home after my hike, I decide to go the opposite way and enjoy a picturesque winding road through the forest. Again, the leaves were falling from above like golden snowflakes, this time covering the asphalt. I drove slowly, opening my moon roof to capture the beauty of the canopy overhead. I remember reading a book many years ago that described how each of us worships God in a different way. My inclination has always been to worship God through His creation. It's where I sense His presence most intensely and so again I thank Him for allowing me to experience this spectacular fall day in such a memorable way. “Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of His name! Tell the world how glorious He is!” (Psalm 66:1-2)

Review of When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons

Apart from The Bible, When Strivings Cease is one of the most beautifully written descriptions of the simple, yet profound truth of The Gospel that I have ever read. Like Ruth, I grew up in a performance-based home, where I often felt like my best was never good enough. Embracing the reality of what Christ did for us on the cross will set us free from our performance mentality. As Ruth so aptly put it, “The answer we're looking for isn't the latest and greatest strategy for self-improvement; it's the transforming gift of amazing grace.” When we find ourselves continually striving to live up to God's standards, Ruth reminds us that “realigning your mind, heart, and identity to grace, not works is a daily battle.” If you find yourself weary from always trying to measure up, this book is for you. “The truth will set you free!” (John 8:32)

What If?

It grieves me to see/hear family and friends arguing about vaccines and viruses. We are all entitled to an opinion, but the enemy is having a field day as we are pitted against one another on so many current issues. Jesus had a lot to say about the way we are to treat each other and even “outsiders.”

What if God asks you to forgive those who disagree with you? He does. “Love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44

What if God wants you to treat your enemies with kindness? Jesus said, “Do good to them that hate you.” Matthew 5:44

What if God asks you to pray for those who have offended you? He will. “Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

What if people only see us arguing and bickering with each other? Jesus reminds us that “everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

What if you only have one opportunity to share God's love with someone? Pray that you will “conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

What if you need to respond with grace instead of righteous indignation? “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

What if you know you're wrong and need to repent? “Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

What if we spent more time seeking God's opinions than defending our own? “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children God." Matthew 5:9

Engaging the Senses

I have a new favorite hiking trail, deep in the heart of an old-growth forest. As I admire the ancient, statuesque hardwoods looming high above me, they evoke gratefulness to The Creator for allowing us to live in this beautiful place. I can almost hear the mountains and trees singing praise to God (Isaiah 44:23) and I'm reminded of some of my favorite lyrics about mountain cathedrals with “altars made of evergreen and windows made of sky.” (Bob Bennett)

I'm a bit out of breath as I begin the subtle incline, but I'm determined to continue. A few hundred yards into my hike, a snake slithers across the trail. My heart races as there have been warnings of copperhead activity, based on their love of cicadas. (East Tennessee has been a central location for the cicada emergence after 17 years.) Was that a copperhead? I try to remember photos I've seen of these venomous snakes and I'm tempted to turn back from this trek into the now seemingly more dangerous forest. I decide to stick it out and my pace quickens.

Deeper into the forest, the trail begins running parallel to a creek. Its joyful sound thrills my heart and I stop numerous times to photograph the lovely cascades. As a child, my family owned a cabin on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains. It was a dream-come-true each summer when we made our way from South Florida to “Beechwood Lodge” in Pisgah National Forest. Many hours were spent building dams, catching salamanders, and playing in the creek that ran in front of our cabin. I remember falling asleep at night listening to the sweet lullaby of that creek, albeit much smaller than the one I'm currently crossing. I dip my hand into the icy water and appreciate the momentary reprieve from the warmth of this summer afternoon. I can't help but wonder if the creek knows its power to evoke these precious memories of a bygone era? I sigh and take a deep breath of the sweet mountain air.

Our move here has been challenging, to say the least. It has been a lonely time for me, but loneliness often reminds us that God is always with us. I take comfort in the fact that He “keeps track of all my sorrows. He has collected all my tears in His bottle....He is on my side!” (Psalm 56:8-9) Surrounding myself with His creation reminds me of His faithfulness and love and so I pray that I will be more intentional about spending time exploring the amazing beauty of this place we call home.

Transparency

Transparency is my word for 2021. We've all been affected by COVID in some way and my deepest sympathy goes out to those who have lost loved ones. But, on a positive note, it seems like we're all being a bit more honest about the challenges we face. From a Christian perspective, how do those who are struggling relate to us if we portray a life with no conflict? The appearance of a "perfect life" only serves to ostracize people. If we truly want to minister to others, we need to "lay aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)

I have been working through some issues in my life and have come to the realization that if I'm not willing to admit that I have struggles, then they are all for naught. We have to be willing to admit our need for a Savior and share the freedom found in the finished work of Christ on the cross. "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God." (Hebrews 12:15a) James tells us to "confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16) And the final part of that verse encourages us with the truth that "the earnest prayer of a righteous person (anyone who is in Christ) has great power and produces wonderful results." 

And so, as we enter the unknowns of 2021, I commit to pray for you and would be grateful if you would do the same for me. Let's make every effort to be honest and transparent with each other. "Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:16)