You Also Be Open

We are strange creatures, we people. Sometimes we are angry with others not because of what they have done to us—but because we feel guilty over what we have done to them. Or because of the way we feel around them. They remind us of our failures or weaknesses—our imperfection—our sin. Sometimes our feelings are so intense we dislike the other person intensely—and at best, we are uncomfortable.

The Corinthian Christians experienced these feelings when they thought of the Apostle Paul. He was their spiritual father but, in his absence, they had followed false teachers. Later, when they recognized their error, they were ashamed to admit it. Paul loved them with a pure heart, but they said hateful things about him. Although he was their spiritual father, thinking about him made them uncomfortable.

Paul wrote a long letter to these mixed-up people. O Corinthians! he said. We have spoken openly to you. Our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your affections . . . You also be open. ( II cor. 6:11,12, 13b NKJV)

All of us have failed other people at times. How do we feel around them? Are we open about our failure?

Originally published September 22, 1989.

Broken Pottery

When faced by impending conspiracy in his old age, David and those who stood with him had to escape in haste while the nation experienced turmoil. And after it was over, David mourned the death of his son Absalom, the man who had conceived and led the conspiracy. Overcome with sorrow, David said, I have become like broken pottery. (Ps. 31:12b NIV)

Broken pottery. Have you ever tried to mend broken pottery? Or could you drink with confidence from a cracked cup—even if held together by the finest adherent?

David was a broken indeed, and he gave voice to both his anguish and his hope. He cried, Let your face shine . . . save me in your unvailing love. (v. 16)

We can judge the man harshly, but God can do the impossible. He mended the pieces that made up David. He brought them together and filled them with a song of praise. Today we satisfy our spiritual thirst as we drink precious promises from David’s mended cup: How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, he wrote. [y]ou keep them safe. . . . (v. 19a,20b)

Originally published June 10, 1988.

"I Poured Out My Soul"

Why is it hard to admit failure and disappointment? Psychologists tell us it is dangerous to stuff such feelings because, when we do, they eat away at our internal strengths.

There is a Biblical alternative. We see it in Hannah, wife of Elkannah. She thought herself a failure when she couldn’t produce a child. She might have suppressed her disappointment for some time, but eventually she wept.

Hannah’s husband tried to console her by asking her to stop weeping. That might have been a convenient solution for Elkanah, but it would have been detrimental for Hannah.

God responded to the depths of Hannah’s sorrow. When she yielded to weeping, she released pent-up emotions and she directed her sorrows to the One who could help. The Bible says, she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. (I Sam. 1:10 NKJV) She said of the experience, [I] poured out my soul. . . . (v. 15)

Eli the priest did not understand and was judgmental until she spoke to him. Then he understood and responded to Hannah with a word from God. Hannah received the word in faith and, when she did, God set her free from the burden of failure.

Originally published January 17, 1992.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, MN, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Not a Failure

Paul and his new traveling companion Silas had a relatively brief stay at Thessalonica. While they were there, they went to the synagogue as they did in all the cities they visited. For three Sabbaths Paul taught from the Old Testament and encouraged discussion, all the while explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. (Acts 17:3 NIV)

It did not last. Some of the Jews, . . a large group of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women accepted Paul’s teaching. (v. 4) When that happened, leaders of the synagogue were both jealous and threatened, so they incited a riot by riling up ne’er-do-wells from the city marketplace.

According to most standards, the events of those few weeks were not a successful missionary effort. But Paul was not discouraged. He knew God could do great things even when it did not look good.

As a result of those few weeks, a church was established. And Paul could later write to the Thessalonians, You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. ( I Thess. 2:1)

Originally published July 15, 1983.

A Proven Failure

Barnabas had a young cousin named John Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. However, when they were in Pamphylia, John Mark returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13) For that reason, Paul did not want to take John Mark with him on a second missionary journey. (Acts 15) John Mark was held accountable for his failure.

But God is in the business of redeeming and restoring failures, and He both redeemed and restored the young man and his ministry. We know that Paul came to appreciate him, too, because he said to the Colossians, My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark . . . if he [Mark] comes to you, welcome him. (Col. 4:10 NIV) In another letter, Paul told Timothy, Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful. . . . (II Tim. 4:11b)

John Mark was also Peter’s friend. The early church believed (and scholars generally agree) that John Mark wrote Peter’s gospel account—the book of Mark in our Bible.

God took John Mark, worked in the life of the proven failure, and turned him into a success.

Originally published January 27, 1989.
Picture: Pansies, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Good Works

Good works are charitable deeds. Almost everyone appreciates them. They can help create pleasant circumstances and relationships within families, neighborhoods, and communities. Sometimes the media will highlight a good work—and warm everyone’s heart in the process. It’s commendable when people do good works simply because they are the right thing to do.

But very often we run into unforeseen difficulties when we try to do what is right. Our work might be misunderstood or condemned by others. We could end up with wounded feelings. We might run short of energy. We could lose that charitable feeling that should go with our charitable deeds.

If this happens, we can turn to God and He will help us. If we’re motivated to do a good work in His name, He promises to give special grace and strength. The Bible says He makes you complete in every good work. . . .” He never stops “working in you what is well pleasing in His sight. . . . (Heb. 13:21a,c NKJV)

Originally published August 28, 1986.
Picture: Flowers in Addis Ababa, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Our Need for Mercy

Mercy. It means light punishment. Or perhaps it means no punishment, a reprieve or forgiveness when we fail or do something wrong. Mercy definitely means help is on the way when circumstances are difficult.

Our human condition being what it is, our need for mercy never ends. We continually experience failure, wrongdoing, and difficulty. With the psalmist we cry, God be merciful to us and bless us. . . . (Ps. 67:1 NKJV)

The Bible portrays God as a source of unlimited mercy for those who trust Him and who come to Him with humble hearts. With great mercy, He leads His people through hard times. With great mercy, He forgives all who come to Him.

Our response? Hopefully it's a response of gratitude. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy. . . ! God our own God shall bless us. . . . (v. 4a,6b)

Originally published November 10, 1989.
Picture: Flower, Hawaii, 2004. Photo by Patty.

The Criterion Is Love

There is a means for evaluating our walk with God. Although we can’t use it to judge others because we can’t enter other people’s hearts to know them completely, we can use it to search our own heart.

The criterion is love.

This doesn’t mean God won’t forgive us when we fail to love—or even if we struggle with a generally unloving attitude. He understands our nature.

It does mean we can’t repeatedly and consistently reject the people He brings into our lives. If we fail to love, we can let Him work with us and change our hearts until we do love others.

The love of Jesus is our standard. Jesus showed His love by giving His life. Through Him we understand love includes more than saying positive words—although that may be an important part of God’s work in us. John said, And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, . . How does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth? (I Jn. 3:16b-18 NKJV)

Originally published February 19, 1993.
Picture: Flower in Arizona desert, 2008. Photo by Patty.

I Shall Be Clean

Many people take personal inventory during the month of January. It’s a time for resolutions.

Desire to improve always requires admitting a need to improve, evaluating mistakes, perhaps acknowledging guilt. That can be painful.

How do we deal with failure or guilt? We can say we’re not really so bad—and justify guilt. We can say there is no guilt—and seek escape from those inner twinges by indulging in some kind of temporary pleasure.

But if we bring failure to God, He not only allows honesty, He encourages honesty. That why David could freely say, “Have mercy on me, O God. . . I acknowledge my transgressions—and my sin is ever before me.” (Ps. 51:1a,3 NKJV)

Then he was free to move toward a new beginning. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (v. 7a,10)

Originally published January 10, 1986.
Picture: Flowers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.