Encouragement grounded in Scripture
Rooted in truth. Anchored in Christ.
New reflections weekly.
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Proving You Are His
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
I want you to imagine the following scenario: You are in line at a local store. Let’s say you are in the return line, because we know those lines can be long. Nerve-wracking at times. You have a couple items you need to return, and there are a couple people ahead of you. You notice the lady in front of you tapping her foot. She is shifting her weight back and forth, and has checked her watch several times. Are you picturing this? Can you see it? You hear a low huff emit from her, as she continues to move back and forth, tap-tapping. It is obvious she must be in a hurry.
The person in front of her finishes their transaction, and she heads to the counter. She throws her unwanted purchases down and grunts something to the cashier. You can’t hear everything that is said from the next register over, but her actions say it all. Arms flailing. Receipt clutched in hand. Anger written all over her face. You hear her yell an angry, “I don’t have time for your incompetence today,” as she storms out.
You are taken aback. Even more so, as you walk out, watch her get into the car with the personalized plates, and the magnet advertising her association with her church, and Jesus. Wow, is that how Christians act, you wonder. I don’t want to be in that church.
You familiar with this story? I know I am. I have been each person in this story. I have witnessed this type of behavior in public. I have worked in retail and been on the receiving end. And…I have also been the foot-tapping, huffing and puffing, arms flailing, “don’t have time for this” customer, who treated people unkind, and then walked out to my car plastered with faith stickers.
In those last moments I was showing anyone who encountered me that I was NOT a true disciple of Jesus.
I now have a large, brightly colored vehicle. It is adorned with a number of messages about faith, and Jesus. On any given day I may get a text while in a drive-thru that lets me know someone is behind me that I know. My son often texts me, “I see you at the Starbucks.” I can’t be acting sideways in my car. Yelling or giving people one finger waves. I am mindful of this, every time I step in it, drive in it, and step out of it.
But I should not need a car to remind me of this. A sticker. A decal. The spirit of God that dwells in me should be enough. A gentle reminder that each day I walk out the door, I am Jesus within the flesh of January to everyone I meet.
If my encounters are sprinkled with irritation, impatience, and anger; people won’t see Jesus. No. Instead every encounter must be sprinkled with compassion, gentleness, and love.
That is how they know I am His.
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Everything Happens For a Reason
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
“Everything happens for a reason.”
That phrase at times irritates me. Maybe because it seems to be thrown out as a response to people who are struggling through something hard, or asking that “why” question. We say this with the best of intentions, but perhaps we are really uncomfortable with all the unknowns of the current situation ourselves.
I’ve often been irritated by that standard phrase because I have asked my own “why’s” over the years.
Why was this person placed in my life? Why was I called to this, only to not complete it? Why is this journey taking as long as it is? Why did some people leave without warning? Why?
Most of those “why’s” have no answers. I may never know the answer on this side of eternity, which makes that “everything happens for a reason” phrase so difficult to stomach at times.
But it’s true. Everything does happen for a reason. One that’s outlined in what has become another one of my favorite verses-it’s all according to what God has planned.
Some things happen so others can grow closer to Him. Others so we can. Some things happen because we veer off course, and God has to get us back on track. Other so He can grow our faith. Some things happen and unfold in the ways they do because it simply wasn’t time, or He has something else for us. Others because of our fallen nature.
Everything happens for a divine purpose. Everything can be used by God for his glory. For His purpose. To show others His love, sovereignty, and power.
The good things, and even those intended to harm us; He is working everything out for our good.
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Hospitality: It’s More than Just Good Food
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Hebrews 13:1-2
When you think of hospitality, of what do you think? We often think of the “hospitality industry.” Restaurants, hotels, caterers, travel agents, businesses that offer food, drink, and a place to stay. For the most part, their aim is to make a stranger feel welcome. Cared for. Comfortable in their space.
Among believers this includes inviting others into our homes. Again, offering food, drink, and a place of comfort and safety. A place to hang out and rest.
For a number of years it has seemed that our home has been a revolving door of guests. Strangers at one time. Having three kids, all in various stages of life, means most often playdates and parties. But it often seems at times these extended into loud, rambunctious sleepovers. This place became the place where people crashed. It is often filled with loud, giggling teens, and has been for years.
While there is food. Drink. A place to stay. That isn’t all that keeps the door revolving.
Because here’s the thing. Wherever you are invited-the food could be fantastic, and the bed perfectly made. You can be served a spread to your heart’s content, and still not feel welcome in some spaces.
While we equate the art of hospitality to eating and sleeping at times, it is more than ensuring these needs are met. It’s that special ingredient that has people sticking around long after the food is eaten, the dishes are washed, and many of the guests have left.
In terms of biblical hospitality-yes, it is welcoming others into our homes, but it extends beyond this. It is welcoming both “friends” and strangers alike. Not keeping outsiders on the fringes and outskirts of your group. It is a big smile to the ones you know, and the ones you just met. It is greeting a person by name. It is inviting someone new to your table at that after church potluck meal, or to sit with you on that youth group sofa. It’s doing these things inside the walls of your church, just as much as you do them inside the walls of your home.
It is serving more than just good food to a select few, but offering Jesus to all.
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The One True Valentine
The Love Chapter. 1 Corinthians 13. If I began by simply stating, “Love is patient. Love is kind,” you would possibly know most of the rest. Because it is used at various weddings. The words are plastered throughout the year for a number of reasons. At times, it is even used as a Valentine’s message of all the love we should be seeking and desiring.
And it is. The one and only Valentine’s message. If we are remembering the one and only who is the source of this love. The one and only source that can’t be found in any vase of flowers, any box of candy, any sappy Hallmark card, or any case of “butterflies.”
The true Valentine? The example and source of true love? Jesus.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT
What Paul describes here is the love shown to us. The love Jesus asked us to show to others.
Love is patient and kind. It waits when it needs to, and moves to serve when led. There were times when Jesus did not act right away. He didn’t run to put out every fire, because he was teaching about faith and trust. However, he always had time to stop for someone in need-even when surrounded by large crowds.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It doesn’t envy others, toot its own horn, or seek to be mean and destructive. Jesus had a number of reasons to boast. He performed miracles. He had the wisdom and knowledge of his Father, yet he remained humble, giving his Father glory. Even when his character was attacked over and over by the Pharisees, he never spoke words of dishonor, contempt, or disrespect.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It doesn’t get annoyed by imperfections, and it is forgiving. In our human nature, when someone denies us, when they reject us or choose to walk away; we hold onto that hurt and anger. May even cut them off. Never seek to reconcile. When Peter denied Jesus, he sought reconciliation, forgiveness, and he never spoke of it again.
Love does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love does not take pleasure in lies, deceit, or wrongdoing. Its desire is to seek truth above all else. Jesus stood against the things that were against the word of God, because love desires a life filled with integrity. He desired this for us.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Our society has taught us that love comes and goes. You can choose it one day, and discard it the next. Your feelings can change in a moment, and can be cut off with the push of the “send” button. But the thing is-love isn’t a fleeting, momentary feeling. It’s a daily sacrifice. It is sometimes putting aside your feelings to pray for the salvation of another. It’s loving from a distance, while still praying for good, remaining hopeful that others will know His love, even if the circumstances become burdensome.
It’s Jesus. On a cross. Bearing the burden for us all.
The love that never fails. Never gives up. Never loses faith. Always hopes. Endures with us always.
The One true Valentine.
Jesus.
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Speaking the Truth
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15
I want you to think back to the last difficult conversation you had to have with someone. This would have been a conversation in which you had to present constructive criticism, discuss your feelings to a slight, or correct poor behavior. What were the things you wrestled with prior to that conversation?
Ephesians 4:14 gives us a glimpse into the things we may feel and say about these types of “talks.” We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like truth. We tell ourselves others will become angry, that what they did is no big deal, and we may even allow these thoughts to keep us from having that crucial conversation. Because of fear. Because of doubt. Because the devil does not want that other person to hear the truth. No one moves forward in making amends, better choices, or down the path God intended.
We are often scared of the truth. Scared it will offend. Hurt. Make others not like us. Accept us.
But we have an obligation to speak it. In love, of course.
In my role as a mental health provider I am often tasked with having to discuss difficult behaviors with families and clients. Though there are some times God will come up in these conversations, for the most part, my faith cannot be a part of this conversation due to the place in which I am fulfilling this role. Speaking the truth in love does not stop here, though.
Enter the “sandwich method.” This method is not something I created. It is something I picked up listening to others who had to give news about correction over the years; especially to those used to hearing tough news often spoken harshly. It involves beginning the conversation with what is going well. The middle of the conversation consists of the “meat,” the purpose of meeting-the behavior needing adjustment. You then end the conversation with additional thoughts on what is going well, what you are looking forward to, and positive qualities that make behavior change possible.
The “filler” conversation is always difficult. However, it is easier to have if it begins with pleasant words, filled with care, compassion, and love. The person receiving the news sees you as someone who doesn’t simply want to tell them all the wrong they are doing, Who doesn’t see them as a “problem” to be solved, but someone with good qualities, capable of making change; and you are now on their team.
Because you pushed back your fear and insecurities, and spoke truth into their life with love.
Difficult conversations will not cease to be difficult by choosing to avoid them, or by avoiding the hard stuff that needs to be said; but they can be easier when seasoned with grace and the compassion of Christ. And always, always-spoken with love.
About Me
I am January! Wife, mother, meemaw, pastor, and mental health provider who makes it through the day with my coffee, my journal, and my God. A simple human, navigating life through the messy and sometimes chaotic. All focused on Him.
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