Window Shopping

What kind of shopper are you? Are you a hunter….knowing exactly what you want before you go, setting out for the kill and getting back home before anyone knew you were gone? Or are you a reflective shopper? “Oh, I wonder how this would go with those pants at home….naaa….doesn’t fit quite right at the shoulders.” You go from store to store only to come home empty-handed. Maybe you’re a mix of these two types—the passive-aggressive shopper: You ARE going to come home with something to wear, but you just can’t decide what you want, so off you go….scooping up blouse after pants after dress after belt after shoes. “I can always return what I don’t want later,” you tell yourself while heading to your car with numb fingers and a crick in your shoulder. What kind of shopper are you?

Since the combinations are endless, let’s pretend that we are all window shoppers. We determine that we won’t go inside a store until something really fantastic catches our eye, even if we have to go from window to window, squinting at every last detail….as soon as we see that thing we can’t resist, we’ll go in and check it out! The truth is that we’ll probably choose to go into the store that most clearly displays their items: front, back, price tag showing, etc.

This is a little bit of the picture of living out the gospel of Christ. We’ve all heard the phrase, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one anyday.” So true, isn’t it? Jesus is the only One who can save the lost, but He draws unbelievers to us to do some “window shopping.” I used to think that, as Christians, we were the item underneath the bright light, and that we needed to be perfectly beautiful all the time, doing and saying all the “right” things. The truth is this: We are not the One on display---Jesus is----and our lives are the reflection of Him.

“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.”
2 Corinthians 6:3 (NIV)

It is clear when we read this verse that the Lord wants us to keep His windows sparkling, so they’ll need to be squeegeed on a regular basis through the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. Why? Not so that Christianity will look pretty and perfect to everyone looking in….but so that it will be pure and unclouded to them. The verses that follow explain how we can present Christ clearly to others (I like the way “The Message” translates it):

“Our work as God’s servants gets validated-or not-in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly…in hard times, tough times, bad times…working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing His power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed…ignored by the world, but recognized by God…immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy…having nothing, having it all.:” (Read 2 Corinthians 6:3 thru 10 to see the verse in its entirety, as I omitted some for space.)

If we make ourselves the object on display, we will fail miserably. If we make Him Front & Center of all that we do, then others may see Him clearly, which is the goal of any true window shopper, isn’t it? Let’s take the time right now to pore over these verses, asking Jesus to help our lives to reflect Him honorably. Ask Him to show us spots or smudges that we haven’t cleaned up or that have been unnoticed in the corner of our frames. The most awesome truth of all is that when we show off Christ in this way, some will be desperate to have Him too, no matter what kind of shopper they are. And when they walk inside, they will be delighted to possess this priceless Treasure, all the while, throwing their Discover Cards away…

Stumbled on a Thought

I was in a pretty good mood that day with an extra spring in my step. While bouncing down the hallway at my children’s school, all of a sudden, I tripped over my own feet. Since I managed to catch myself before my bottom hit the floor, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could’ve been. I noticed no one was around, so after a humiliating sigh of relief, I went on my merry way.

Another day, I took a pretty good tumble off the stage when I was leading worship in kid’s ministry at my church. This fall wasn’t from clumsiness, rather a lack of awareness of the poor lighting on the edge of the stage. And I fell ALL the way on my rumpus this time, with an audience of fourth grade boys enjoying it about as much as a movie with all you can eat popcorn, candy and soda pop.

It occurs to me now, after many days similar to these, that most all of us have them. It is the case in our faith journeys as well. We can go through moments of great “highs” spiritually, skipping around joyfully singing His praises. Unexpectedly we trip, and the high mountaintop we were just singing on becomes more of an anthill we’re wounded from.

James 3: 2 says that “we all stumble in many ways.” One way could be that we tripped because we’re clumsy, which would represent sinning. OR it could be that some obstacle was in our path that we just didn’t see coming, such as a decision to be made or an illness or even a hurtful comment someone made to us. We may even stumble over our doubts regarding the ways of the Lord. Whatever the case, sometimes the falls are big, and sometimes they are small. Often, the bruises from them heal quickly; other times, the bleeding doesn’t stop for a good while.

Could it be that this is a normal part of walking in the faith? While we as believers of the King will never EVER fall from our promise of Heaven, we’re going to lose our footing now and then on this earth. When we do, Jesus is right beside us. He stands in the gap for us. He comforts us. He corrects us. He prays for us--and He is faithful to pick us up in His perfect time. Even though His peace, love and joy are always a part of us as believers, we don’t always feel them with our emotions. When this is the case, we would be wise to search His promises and choose to lean on them, trusting that He will minister to us in the unique way we need at that time.

Let’s be prepared, friends, praying that when temptation comes, He will give us an escape—praying that when someone hurts us, He will be our encouragement--praying that when something happens that we don’t understand or couldn’t be foreseen, He will give us the faith to trust in Him anyway. Most of all, let’s pray that when we crawl or limp through the valley for any reason--be it stress or depression or hormones or sin or circumstances or WHATEVER--that He would comfort, teach and grow us up there—right in that place.

And may we be quick to take His strong hand the instant He’s ready to pick us up and lead us to higher ground—fully restored, renewed and refreshed for the next leg of the journey.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,

after you have suffered a little while,

will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:10-11

Fruit & Restoration

I'm taking a bit of a break right now...time with the Lord, time with family. I look forward to renewed inspiration and thinking during these moments.

In the meantime, the July issue of Exemplify Magazine is online, and it is ripe with teaching with the theme of "Fruit of the Spirit." I am blessed to be one of the featured writers this month.

Click here to read these fruit-filled articles.

See you all soon!

A Psalm 71 Perspective

"From birth I have relied on You;

You brought me forth from my mother's womb.

I will ever praise You.”

Psalm 71:6

I’m amazed as I flip through previous chapters of my life—amazed at God’s faithfulness, His unfathomable love and favor upon me, even through the world’s ugliest offerings.

Chapter 1: My Childhood

The world offered me abuse, anger, despair, hopelessness and pain.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God saved me with sacrificial love, Fatherly affection, protection and compassion. He showed Himself faithful.

“Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,

from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,

my confidence since my youth.”

(vs. 4-5)

Chapter 2: My Youth

The world offered me a broken family, ridicule, deception, bad counsel and manipulation.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God overwhelmed me with true love, a church family, unconditional acceptance, & pure, unadulterated Truth. He showed Himself faithful.

“Since my youth, O God, You have taught me,

and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds.”

(vs. 17)

Chapter 3: My Young Adult Years

The world offered me temptation, betrayal, empty pleasure, feelings of inferiority & illness.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God worked in me true fulfillment, God-confidence, grace, encouragement & healing. He showed Himself faithful.

“Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter,

You will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up.”

(vs. 20)

Chapter 4: My Not-quite-as-young Recent Past

The world offered me more temptation, grief, discontentment, distractions, depression & confusion.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God gave me a learning curve in His infinite mercy. He poured out His power, His comfort, His wisdom, His strength and stability in me. He showed Himself faithful.

“And I'll take up the lute and thank You

to the tune of Your faithfulness, God.

I'll make music for You on a harp,

Holy One of Israel.

When I open up in song to You,

I let out lungsful of praise,

my rescued life a song.”

(Vs. 22 & 23, the MSG)

Chapters 4 & Beyond:

The world will offer me more of the same, I’m sure--even worse as I learn to deny myself and follow Christ more devoutly.

~But looking ahead, in the midst of it all…

I will follow hard after the Lord, remembering His love through all of my past. And as I set my eyes on the future hope of Heaven, just as He has always been faithful, I pray He will find me the same.

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,

till I declare Your power to the next generation,

Your might to all who are to come. (vs. 18)

I'll write the book on Your righteousness,

talk up Your salvation the livelong day,

never run out of good things to write or say.

I come in the power of the Lord God,

I post signs marking his right-of-way."

(vs. 15-16, the MSG)

Your turn, friends. What do you have to say about your life from the perspective of Psalm 71?
Are you looking at your circumstances through His grid?
How have you found Him faithful?
When He comes, how will He find You faithful?