What's Love Got to do with It?

I can almost hear Judas Iscariot ask that question when Jesus told His disciples: “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Judas seems to be the least loving disciple not merely because he was the one who betrayed Jesus, but also because of his harsh responses to acts of grace. When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive spikenard, Judas rebuked her. His question exposes his heart condition: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

It might seem Judas, who was in control of the group’s money pouch, had a tender heart toward those in need. But the next verses refute that idea by calling him a thief, painting him as a sort of embezzling biblical CFO. The incident also reveals Judas’ attitude toward his Master by implying Jesus was just another man, no one special. Why should He be the recipient of such extravagant love? It sounds like grumblesome, disgruntled Judas was filled with jealousy as well as greed.

For three years, Judas walked with Jesus. He saw the compassion in His eyes when He healed the sick and fed the multitudes. He witnessed the Son of God cry when His friend Lazarus died. And He saw Him weep over Jerusalem’s lack of repentance and absence of mercy. And Judas got angry. Many scholars believe Judas was one of the zealots, a sect of Jews who were trying to overthrow Roman rule. If so, his disillusionment with Jesus becomes clear. Judas was not looking for a kingdom filled with love where its Ruler taught forgiveness of cruel oppressors. He wanted the kingdom ushered in through violence. But violence never produces joy and hatred never brings about peace. Jesus said to love your enemies. He said that the greatest love is not destroying others for the sake of your country or your beliefs, but laying down your life in sacrifice for the sake of your friends.

Recently, my friend shared a story she heard on the radio; it was the testimony of a Muslim man who declared he had grown up in a culture of hate. When he left Islam, he became an atheist. Eventually, though, Christians won him over through their demonstrations of unconditional love. He said they did not try to badger him, debate him or condemn him. Instead they simply loved him. God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe and when we allow Him to fill us with His love, we can change the world.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

True Love

Today Mom and Dad would’ve celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary, one week before Valentine’s Day. Mom used to share with me the story of Dad’s proposal and how she wanted to marry on that quintessential “romantic” holiday. But Daddy insisted he wanted to be married six months to the day from the time he proposed. That meant the wedding date would be for one week earlier on Feb. 7. Thus began years of compromise, sacrifice and teamwork. Mom and Dad weren’t the perfect couple in the sense that they got mad and yelled at one another. Often. But at the end of the day, each one knew how much they were loved by the other.

Through the years I told my friends that Daddy lived to make Mom happy and he did. While he seldom brought her bouquets of flowers, he did give her cards with heartfelt messages and he brought her souvenirs from all of his travels. But far more than that, Daddy faithfully cared for Mom through fifteen years of serious illnesses and hospitalizations. Not only did he care for her physical needs, he showered her with affection and encouragement. Through both good times and bad, he never failed to pray for her. Mom cared for Daddy in all those same ways. And it was a running contest between them to see who could make the other one laugh the most and the loudest. Momma used to say Daddy’s voice was the first one she wanted to hear in the morning and the last one she heard at night. After Momma died, I said to Daddy that he always acted as if Momma hung the moon in the sky. His simple reply? “Well, didn’t she?” I am grateful to my parents for showing me love can last a lifetime. It can overcome any obstacle. And it can sustain you when everything else fails.

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Cor. 13:7-8

Take Two

“The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Prov. 16:9

I had a plan. This was gonna be the January my house was so organized that Martha Stewart would personally visit to take notes. Instead, I had to stay in bed for days just trying to breathe as I fought off some flu imposter. For the new semester, I was going to be so prepared that I would dazzle my students with my knowledge of literature and my rapier wit. Instead, I showed up to the first day of class with a bad case of laryngitis and a hacking cough. And that exercise plan? It went out the window and was replaced by a regimen of vitamin C, zinc and antibiotics. Sigh. I had a plan.

God has a plan too. He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a good plan for each of us. Ever-faithful, ever-prepared, ever-gracious, my sickness did not derail His plan. He protected me all fall semester from numerous illnesses to which I was exposed and allowed me to enjoy the holidays before I got sick. He used friends to minister to me and remind me how much I am loved and how to bless others when they are in need. Still, I missed my new year’s rituals of contemplation and simplification. But with God, every day can be a new beginning. So now that I am nearly well, I am re-starting my new year and I am excited to see what God has in store for it. Instead of hoping my plan comes to pass, I will be praying that God’s does.

“Father, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10)

Happy New Year, Lord

“For all the blessings of the year, we thank You, Lord.”

As 2014 was slipping into 2015, I kept singing the line above which comes from a Thanksgiving call to worship. The words remind me to thank God for all the blessings of the past year. For friends and family who support and encourage me. For new friendships that have blossomed and old ones that have deepened. For work I enjoy and through which I can see God’s hand at work. For miracles in my life and the lives of those I love.

God’s blessings have taken many forms this last year. After four years of not seeing them, I had two opportunities to spend time with friends who are more like sisters and are separated from me only by the physical distance of hundreds of miles. I had the joy of planting flowers in my yard and then watching them bloom and attract butterflies and hummingbirds which brought me the gifts of wonder and delight. The children and teenagers in my life have often renewed my spirit by sharing their innocence and their exuberance. As I started an additional job adventure, colleagues and co-workers offered much-needed advice, help and encouragement.

And there have been tremendous gifts from God Himself this year, both seemingly big and seemingly small. He has given me wisdom and guidance when I needed it most. He has afforded me strength and comfort as I continue to grieve and heal. And He has given me an inexhaustible supply of joy. So, as 2015 begins, I thank God not only for all He has done in the past year, but I thank Him in advance for all the blessings of this new year.

All on a Starry Night

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:9-10

On my Christmas tree hangs a miniature galaxy of 1500 white lights twinkling beneath a luminous capiz shell star that this year replaced the angel which has always floated atop my tree. It’s a fitting transition since stars have captivated me as long as I can remember. Often while growing up, I would sit outside at night and gaze upward at the glittering lights. On chilly December nights, I searched for the northern star and strained to see if I could determine which light shone in the east at Jesus’ birth. A couple of weeks ago, we had an unusual cold snap and I wandered into my backyard to stare at the innumerable flickering stars strewn across a black velvet canvas. For weeks before that night, one of my Mom’s Christmas stories kept popping into my mind. For years, God gave Mom Christmas and Easter stories to share at church and one year, He gave her the story of Twink. After Mom died, Dad and I looked for written or typed copies of Mom’s stories but never found any. So, drawing from my memory to the best of my ability, here’s Twink's story.

“Twink” by Jean Lovvorn

Long ago, way out in space there lived a little unassuming star named Twink. Year after year he watched as other stars did important jobs and shared with each other stories of their exotic travels. Listening to the other stars, Twink began to feel unimportant, like his life had no purpose. One day he started crying and as he did, in the cold, still air of space, the tears began to freeze around him. Each day the layers of ice grew thicker and thicker as Twink continued to cry. He drifted farther and farther away from the other stars until he was all alone in a forgotten corner of the universe. Cold and lonely, Twink began to despair. Then one day, he saw a blinding light and heard a gentle voice.

“Twink, I haven’t forgotten you.”

“Really, Lord?” Twink’s voice shook from the cold and the tears.

“Really.” Twink could hear God’s smile in his voice even if He couldn’t see Him. “I have a really special job for you.”

“You do?” Twink felt his heart warm and wondered if maybe God’s love could thaw the ice around his frozen heart.

“We’re going on a really long trip and I need you to follow me.”

“Where are we going?” Doubt and fear crept into Twink’s voice.

“Do you trust Me?”

“Ye-yes, lord,” Twink stammered.

“Good, then let’s go.”

Long days and nights, Twink and God traveled together and for a while, Twink couldn’t see much below himself because of the layers of ice. So he followed God’s voice and stopped and rested when and where He told him to. As they soared past comets and planets and sparkling galaxies, Twink poured out his grief to God. As they journeyed together, the ice around Twink finally began to melt and his light grew brighter and brighter. When he could see clearly, he looked down and spotted a huge group of people following them. They were dressed in fine clothes and rode camels and seemed to be on a very important trip.

“God, I think they’re following us.” Twink looked at the people apprehensively.

God chuckled loudly. “They are, son, but that’s what they’re supposed to do.” The next night God announced, “We’re here.”

“We are?” Twink looked down into a dusty village outside a big city where he was hovering over a humble, rough-hewn home.

“Yes, Twink. You’ve just led all those people to My Son and the world will never be the same because of your obedience.”

Twink’s eyes filled with tears of joy this time as he looked down into the eyes of a baby who smiled up at him, reaching out his tiny hand as though to touch him. The baby smiled and cooed and Twink beamed with such joy that his light lit up the night sky as the travelers bowed in awe before the Son of God.

Let It Go

1 Peter 5:7: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.” (NLT)

With no allusion to the ubiquitous song from Disney’s Frozen, I keep encountering the idea held in the title of the popular princess anthem: “Let It Go.” The Christian band Tenth Avenue North also has a song with the same title, but their lyrics sound like a letter from God encouraging us to release everything to Him. Recently, within one week, at least three friends shared with me how things changed in their lives once they “let go” of certain situations. I don’t think any of them realized God was using them to reinforce His message to me.

For me, letting go means releasing a problem, concern or desire to God in submission to Him. In that moment, I am asking for His wisdom, His clarity, His will. Perhaps that is one of God’s greatest desires is that we trust so completely in His wisdom, goodness and grace that we relinquish control and surrender our lives to Him. Philippians 4:6-7 promises this course will bring unimaginable peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I hope one day I can hold on to the lesson of “letting go” so I can experience the peace God promises.

Reinhold Niebuhr shared his thoughts on the subject in his famous “Serenity Prayer,” the first half of which many folks have memorized. Here’s the rest of the prayer:

“Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking as He did,

this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy

With Him forever in the next.

Amen.”

You are not alone

Deut. 31: 6b “For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”

When Daddy died a year ago April, I felt like an orphan. It didn’t matter that I’m an adult and I live 300 miles away from my childhood home. I still felt like my last anchor was ripped away. Many friends who have lost both of their parents told me they experienced the same feelings. It was hard to lose the two people in my life who knew me from birth and whose collective memory housed things about me and my life that I may never recall.

Maybe that’s why starting last fall Abba Father began reinforcing this message: you are not alone. It popped up everywhere, but particularly in one of my favorite places of all: music. There was “You’re not alone” by Marie Miller. And there was Matt Maher’s song “All the People Said Amen” that starts with the lyrics: “You are not alone if you are lonely.” Most recently I heard these lyrics: “But with joy our hearts can say, ‘Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did You leave us on our own” from Matt Redman’s “Never Once.”

In the aftermath of serious, faith-testing challenges in the last few years, God has reinforced that He is faithful, that He loves me and that I am never alone. If you are feeling alone in the struggles you face, I pray that God’s word will remind You of His constant, watchful presence in your life.