That Which Is From Above

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

"And the fruit of righteousness is shown in peace of them that make peace."

James 3:17-18 KJV

Let us not seek earthly wisdom to further our own prosperity, but let us seek the wisdom that comes from above to further the Kingdom of God. For in the end this world and everything material will fade away. What is eternal is salvation. Let us therefore sow our time and resources into what will last. This wisdom from above cannot be obtained through earthly measures, but through the Spirit of the Lord. Let us therefore strive everyday to be more like Him, to think more like Him, to love more like Him, and to live more like Him. Let us strive to have the heart and mind of God.

Words of Kindness

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body.

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

"Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"

James 3:2-5 KJV

Working in customer service can be a difficult job. Many times you deal with people talking to you disrespectfully, taking out their frustrations on you when you had absolutely nothing to do with their problems. Often they are mad at the world because someone wronged them, and now here you are available for them to yell at. Or sometimes they simply feel entitled and they see you as a "commoner". Regardless of how they speak to you, we don't have to give it back.

Perhaps you don't work in customer service. You don't have one of those jobs where, "the customer/guest is always right". The truth is, your "customer"/"guest" extends to your family, friends, coworkers, even the cashier at the market. Everyone you interact with on a daily basis is also in a way your guest. Do you think Jesus talked to the multitude one way, and then his Disciples a completely different way? What then would give us the right to think that we can talk to anyone with spite? Just because the cashier at Walgreens can't file a complaint to your boss and get you fired, it doesn't make it right to lash out at them.

So today, when you are conversing with people, let your words be spoken in kindness and gentleness. Despite the attitude others may give to you. Reply no in malice or spite, but in grace and patience. For that is how Christ would wants us to speak. Just how the thin leather of a bridle is able to guide about a horse, or a helm able to turn about a whole ship, so is your tongue capable of uplifting someone or causing destruction. It only takes a single lit match to burn down a forest. Likewise, a few choice words can lead to ruin.

Forever and Always

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's"

Romans 14:8 KJV

Our relationship with the Lord is eternal. It is not a fling that we pursue for a season, only to discard and pick back up again when it is convenient. He is always with us, in our hearts and in our midst. Through thick or thin, better or worse, sickness or health, death will NOT part. He is the groom and we the church the bride, for eternity. Though all will fade away, the glory of the Lord will be steadfast. By His side we will stay forever.

A Stark Contrast

I am continuously reminded of the world that lies beyond the North American borders. We lose ourselves in the comforts of this blessed country. We indulge in foods and entertainment that others could not even imagine. We who live "ordinary lives" are among the richest people in the world, and except a few pockets here and there scattered across the globe, so many live in  poverty. (This isn't to say we all have it good here. There are numerous tragedies on this very soil, but in general we do live more comfortably than others.)

The American dream becomes a stark contrast to what lies beyond a few southern borders, or just an ocean away. While we stress about driving through traffic or the line at Starbucks, others across the globe are struggling to feed their malnourished children or receive the treatment for tuberculosis. The sheer culture shock is why people are debriefed before and after going across seas. We are not mentally prepared for what lies beyond.

For years, my heart has been longing to reach such nations. I began studying at a community college for nursing, only to realize that my heart was passionate about pathology. I moved to Bozeman so I can finish my bachelor in microbiology. Ultimately, Lord willing, I want to get through med school and join Doctors Without Borders. While I am on the right track, it feels like it is taking too long. I wish I could walk out my front door now. I wish I could buy a plane ticket and fly to Africa. I wish I could find those refugee camps where Ebola and XDR-TB ravage the countryside. I want to help the inflicted, both researching in their lab and directly working with the people. However, I know that I would only be in the way if I went right now. I know I must first prepare myself.

You may ask, what can you do while you are still here? One could volunteer locally, or donate money to an organization, or at the very least keep these people in prayers. We can also gain a little perspective. While we are distracted by the "suffering" of a First World country (like trying to send a text when our battery is dying or passing the "idiot" who is driving too slow) let's remember that at the end of the day we will be climbing into a warm bed with a full stomach. Instead of naming off all the things that went wrong in our day, we should count our blessings and seek ways in which to bless others less fortunate. Don't turn a blind eye to the inflictions of the world. Here their cry and answer.

Ever Present

"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Psalm 139:7-10 KJV

Despite our circumstances the Lord is always watching over us. Through the deepest and most treacherous valleys He walks with us. Like Jonah, who found himself in the belly of a whale, there is not any place too far or too dark where the Lord cannot find us.

"If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

Psalm 139:11-12 KJV

The God we serve is omnipresent. He surpasses space and time. He holds the universe in His hands, and yet dwells in each of us who accept Him. No matter your tribulation, He is there. He is walking with you. He may not deliver you from your suffering, but He will stand by you and suffer with you. And in the morning when you wake up... He will be there.

What Is Built On Our Foundation?

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward."If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV

     This passage hit home when I read it the other day. What am I building upon my foundation? Like the three piggies and the big bad wolf, the house that withstood his blow was made of stone. Building a strong home is not an easy task, just as it is not easy to build a strong relationship with our God. It takes work. It takes time. It takes sacrifice, to give up what we want to choose Him.

God has laid the foundation, Jesus Christ, in our hearts, but what we choose to build thereupon is our choice.

     Where do we go from there? What occupies our attention? Do we seek out the Lord everyday, desiring to draw closer to Him more and more? Are we building with gold, silver and precious stones? Or do we mindlessly live for ourselves, taking little thought to grow in our walk with God? Do we let greed, jealousy, and the lusts of the flesh control us? Are we building with wood, hay, and stubble?

     Our faith will be tried. Our relationship and faith in God will be tested. When the fire of trial consumes us, what will remain? When we hit rock bottom, what will stay steadfast?

Verse 15 explains that we may suffer loss. However, we are also promised that we shall still be saved. Despite how unquenchable the fire, or how blistering the heat, there is nothing that can burn away our foundation in Christ. No thing can ever take away what God has laid for us. In this, we can rest assured.

     What do people see when they look at us? What do they think? How do they view us? Despite common belief, we are not invisible to those around us. When we least expect it, there is often someone watching. We proclaim one thing with our mouths, but do we prove another with our works? Do they see Jesus in us? What does the world see us building upon our foundation?

Trials as blessings

The valley sits in a haze as fires ignite everywhere. Smoke settles as low as the treetops, thick as cotton, hiding the light of the sun from even the keenest eye. Everyone was so happy for the skip of springs showers, yet unknown to all was the great price we were to pay for it. It seems as dusk in the middle of the day.

How many times do we fear the storms in our own life? How often do we despair at even the smallest trials? As one band put it, "Cuz' the pain that you've been feeling / Is just the dark before the morning". How difficult would it be to recognize the blessings in our life, if we did not experience trials and heartbreak? Perhaps they are a reminder, adjusting our perspective, to see how great the little joys are in life. Perhaps they themselves are blessings in disguise, allowing us to truly appreciate a happy moment, a blessed moment, a moment of opportunity when they arise.

Count your trials as blessings and hardships as reminders. Without them there would be no contrast to illuminate the great times, and life would then fade into a mundane, monotonous rhythm.