Month: March 2021

The Reality of Evil in the World

The Reality of Evil in the World

Sadly, these days what once seemed unbelievable now has become almost commonplace because of the regularity of evil things done all around the world.    

Last week eight people were killed at Metro Atlanta spas. And just two days ago, ten people were gunned down at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado. These evil acts leave us shocked, angry and filled with grief.  It is natural to ask – Why does God allow this evil to happen? If God is so good why does He allow such evil to continue?

In my opinion, the answer is simple – our ability to make choices. While we are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27), He also gave us the freedom to make our own choices, both good and bad choices (Gal. 5:13). Because of a choice made in the Garden of Eden, all mankind fell into sin. Romans 3:23 tells us that “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

This free will granted to us by God is both our greatest blessing and our worst curse. We have the freedom to decide how to act, what to eat for breakfast, who to marry, what to watch on television, whether or not to commit our lives to Him, and sadly, yes, also the choice to kill innocent people. We have free will to love or to hate, to do good or to do evil.

God could eliminate the evil done in this world by taking away our ability to make choices. If He did, we would become puppets who do and say what God wants said and done. We would be like marionettes, with God pulling the strings. However, God does not desire us to be like puppets. He desires to be loved by people who freely choose to follow and obey him. Love is not love if there is no other option. Obedience is not obedience if there is no other choice.

You probably know what is arguably the most familiar verse found in the Bible, John 3:16 – “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.”

But do you know, just a few verses later, we find out the root of our evil – “And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil” (3:19).   

So, that very same God who gave us free will, the ability to do and say both good and bad, also sent His Son into the world as a way for every man, woman and child – yes, even those who do evil – to be redeemed and restored, through which bad people do not become good people, but instead, sinful people (all of us) become forgiven and changed people.

Change our hearts, O God! And we cry out to Jesus, who is our Prince of Peace – please let us feel Your presence, that life-changing presence, and see Your unlimited power, the only transforming power to change the world!  

Your Trusty Compass

Your Trusty Compass

Have you ever been hiking and found yourself lost? Maybe you intentionally veered off the path, hoping to explore the deepest parts of the forest, and since you’ve been on this path many times before you are certain you can find your way back out. Or it could be you thought you were following the intended path, only to realize you somehow got off that path and now you find yourself far from where you want to be. You are in very unfamiliar territory.

In either situation, being lost, all alone, and off the marked path leads to worry, confusion and panic, maybe even hopelessness. Foolishly, you left your compass in the car. What’s that noise rustling in the leaves? Is that a bear I hear off in the distance? Oh no, this deep in the woods, no cell service! You begin trying to retrace your steps but soon convince yourself that you’ve passed the same rock twice. You seem to be getting nowhere fast and begin to wonder if you will get out safely. As an experienced hiker you know it is ill-advised to hike alone and without your trusty compass, but since you’ve hiked these woods hundreds of times had confidence in your own abilities.

In life we sometimes find ourselves lost and off the chosen path. I’ve been there and so have you. That is just the reality of our sinful nature. Simply put, we strayed from God. It could be we willingly chose a different path, our own path, or it could be we somehow drifted there, little by little, almost unnoticed, until we find ourselves someplace we don’t want to be.

The prophet Jeremiah gave instructions to the nation of Judah, who had strayed from the Lord to make their own way. These same instructions apply to you and to me today. Here is what we read in Jeremiah 6:16 – “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’”

So, right now, if you are lost or uncertain, rather than keep wandering, hoping to find daylight, stop right where you are, admit that you are lost. Repent (turn towards God), and trust Him, your good and trusty compass, to show you His way. It might not be the easiest way, but it will be the best way!

The Dimly Lit Street

The Dimly Lit Street

Have you ever walked down a street late at night? The sky is dark, there is a chill in the air, you can see your breath, the street lights are dimly lit, the businesses are all closed, and every sound seems to be magnified. Raindrops begin to fall from the sky. You’ve walked this street many a night, but for some reason tonight you sense that danger lurks at every corner. You feel uneasy as you make your way down the sidewalk, constantly glancing over your shoulder to make sure no one is following you. You hear sirens in the distance and that just increases your anxiety. Was that gunfire I heard? That person looking out from that second floor window, are they checking you out?

Suddenly, someone steps out from between two buildings. It startles you, stopping you dead in your tracks. They nonchalantly glance you before heading in the other direction. You let out a big sigh of relief and your pace picks up, almost to a sprint. Soon you make it to your apartment building and quickly go inside, locking the door behind you before collapsing on the couch in exhaustion. Your nerves are shot, your heart is beating way too fast.      

Life is often that same way. We find ourselves in situations that make us uneasy and uncomfortable. Sometimes the threat to us is real, while other times it is just perceived. Regardless of what you are going through, or imagining that you are going through, you can rest assured that God is with you. Sometimes He will help you escape harm’s way while other times He sustains you through whatever it is that threatens you, walking stride for stride alongside you.

In Psalm 138:7-8 we read these words – “When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe. You oppose my angry enemies and save me by your power. You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun” (GNT).

In those two verses it sure seems clear that not only did the psalmist trust in God’s power and protection,but also has confidence in the plans and purposes of the Father, despite the worrisome and disquieting current conditions.

So, today, if the street you walk down is dimly lit and you find yourself uneasy about your surroundings, maybe even fearing the worst, allow yourself to be strengthened by the love and faithfulness of the One in whose image you were made (Gen 1:26-27) and who created you to be who you are (Ps 139:13-18).

Help, I’m Falling!

Help, I’m Falling!

Life is not always easy treading. Sure, there are days when the pavement is newly resurfaced and the journey is smooth. But there are also days when the road you find yourself on is not so smooth and it feels as if you are about to tumble into a deep dark hole. Abnormal markers in your routine blood work leads to further testing which leads to a diagnosis of cancer. Maybe you suddenly find yourself without a job. It could be that at the end of the month you have more bills to pay than you have money in your checkbook. You or a family member have been battling a serious illness for a long time and now you are told it is time to call hospice.

Or how about this, you have been praying about something God placed on your heart and finally build up the courage to step out of the boat in faith, only to find yourself beginning to sink. You thought that you were following God’s plan, but now your question whether you really did hear from God, or if you simply ate some bad pizza.

Where do you turn when the bottom drops out?

What is at the bottom of that black hole you find yourself falling in? Will it hurt? Fear has taken over and you are waiting for the crash landing. Rest assured that Jesus is there to catch you.

You might be familiar with the story of Peter walking on water. Matthew 14:22-36 tells the story of the disciples in the middle of the lake when their boat got caught in a storm. While it was still dark, they saw Jesus walking on the water and were terrified because they thought he was a ghost. Jesus tells them to not be afraid, but probably to little avail. Peter then calls out, saying, “Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” You can imagine Peter’s shock when Jesus invites him to get out of the boat! We pick up the story here beginning in verse 29 – Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Jump ahead two verses and in verse 31 we read these comforting words – Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

So, when you are falling head over heels into what seems like a deep dark black hole, and fear has kicked in, know that Jesus is not far away, with His hand extended, saying to you, “I am right here!”  

Hope in the Midst of Darkness

Hope in the Midst of Darkness

Have you ever been so sure of something that you “bet your life on it,” only to soon thereafter find it not to be true? Has there ever been a time that you went from absolutely knowing something is true to only hoping it is so, even after being so sure? Do you struggle with doubts about Jesus amid difficult circumstances? Do you ever find yourself wondering if Jesus really is who He claims to be? If you said yes, you are not alone. We all do at one point or another.

John the Baptist, as he sat in prison awaiting execution, found himself doubting that very thing. John, the very one who told the crowd of the comng Messiah (Matthew 3:11), found himself questioning in that dark moment. John, the very one who after baptizing Jesus saw the heavens open and the Spirit of God descend and rest on Him, even after hearing a voice say, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), found himself afflicted with doubt. John, the very one who said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29), as he sat in Herod’s prison, questioned whether Jesus was really who He claimed to be.

When the heat is on, when life gets tough, real tough, we often find ourselves experiencing deep darkness. Accusing thoughts flood our minds. Here is what we read in Matthew 11 – “When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (v.2)

That seems like a surprising question from John, the very one who boldly announced that he was preparing the way of the One to come. John had been so sure that Jesus was the Christ, but now, sitting in that filthy prison, he seemed to be wondering, “What if I had been wrong?” Have you ever found yourself asking that same question?

Jesus, while sometimes seemingly frustrated with questions that tried to back Him in a corner, never once, not ever, failed to give a genuine answer to a sincere question. He always answers your questions as well. He is faithful and reliable. 

In v.4 we read how Jesus responded to that question, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me [shall not fall away in me, tripped up, doubt].”

[As a student of the what we today call the Old Testament, John would be very familiar with those words, they come straight from Isaiah 61.]

Yes, it is true that Jesus does not always answer when, or even how we desire, but He always answers. We are told in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His grace is all we need; it is sufficient to overcome every obstacle, no matter how big, no matter how long, no matter how difficult.

In the midst of John’s doubt, in the midst of his pain, in the midst of his “dark night of the soul,” in the midst of his deep valley, Jesus sent a promise, a word of hope, a reminder that He is who is claims to be. Do you trust that He will do the same for you?

Single-Minded Focus

Single-Minded Focus

It is that time of year again; that time of year when many are focused solely on one thing. We have already turned our clocks ahead. The first day of spring is two days away. In some areas of the country daffodils are already blooming. The smell of food being cooked on grills is beginning to waft through the air. More and more people are getting vaccinated. Major League baseball teams are in Spring Training. But it is that time of year for something else as well.

Tonight, much of the country will be focused on one thing and one thing only. Yes, you guessed it – the start of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as March Madness. This year’s tournament will be different because of the pandemic – less fans in the seats, teams living in a “bubble,” and all games being played in the Indianapolis area – but still for many, especially after no tournament last year, the games can’t start soon enough.     

The brackets were announced on Sunday and since then sports talk programs have broken down the tournament with the so-called experts ad nauseam. Advertisers use March Madness themed ads to get us to buy their products and services, and the tournament even has its own jargon and terminology – The Big Dance, Cinderella, Selection Sunday, Bracketology, First Four, Bracket Buster, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four.

As a nation, we are obsessed with this tournament. Many people have poured every ounce of energy into researching the teams and trying to pick the winners and the upsets. Even people who do not regularly follow college basketball often fill out a bracket. Sadly, when it comes to our commitment to following Jesus, that pursuit sometimes pales in comparison to the energy and effort we put forth in trying to fill out our brackets. Pursuing Jesus is not a casual, go through the motions, kind of thing. The Bible makes it clear that pursuing Jesus is an all-in activity.

The Bible is full of references to earnestly seeking God. We find these words as the opening verse in Psalm 63, “You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole body longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” In 1 Chronicles 16:11 we read these words, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” And later, in that same book we are told, “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God” (22:19).  

Not only are we called to earnestly seek after God, Scripture also tells us that if we do so, we will find Him. The number of verses that give us that promise is lengthy, here are just two. Proverbs 8:17 tells us this, “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” And in Deuteronomy 4:29 we find these words, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Jesus tells us that everything we need in life is given to us if we seek Him first. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says this, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I encourage you to always read the verses I mention in context; this verse comes near the end of a longer passage (6:25-34).

So, are you pursuing God with the same single-minded focus and passion as you have when completing your bracket? If you seek after God with an all-in attitude, you will find Him. And that wins every time!