As the rain and snow

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” Mark 4:35-41

Who then is this, who moves us on from where we are and directs us to new places? Who then is this who travels alongside us and is always near? Who then is this who pulses with life and prays for us, who walks above our turmoil and sleeps in the storm, completely serene? Who then is this, who stills our fears by eliciting faith, and calms both heart and element? Who then is this, whose intent for every life situation is that we would trust Him more? (Mark 6:48-51; 8:29)

In the tumble and turmoil of life, do we prickle with all that’s immediate, or pause to consider Who is behind and over everything? We get preoccupied with press and pull, here and now, tit for tat, if and when, hypnotized into urgent’s tyranny and unable to extricate ourselves from petty minutiae to broad perspective. But step back and away, and behold the Master of the universe in control and at intimate work, orchestrating all for His infinite, infinitely good purposes that far outlast our latest urgencies of the day.

How will we train our eyes to see the brilliant mighty God behind everything that is made, and occurs? Knowing from His word His ways of dealing with man sharpens our spiritual vision. From our own transitions and traumas, where can we trace His sovereignty, His providence, His mercies and transforming might? Are we more focused on discomforts, cloudy unknowns, and stormy angst than on the Lord who peacefully and powerfully outlines them all with His light and rules with calm?

“Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
shelters you under his wings, and so gently sustaineth!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
granted in what he ordaineth?” ~Joachim Neander (1680)

Once I know that I know who this is who lovingly leads, benevolently watches, serenely reigns, and wondrously delivers, I can sing with joy, trust in calm, and proceed into any unknown. The One who blows wind and measures waves loves and cares for you and me. Would we wonder, and adore? (Job 38:8-11,24; Psalm 139:3)

Lord, teach me to trace Your loving, life-giving hand through every situation and season of life. May I know You as the One who does all things well, and faithfully proclaim how much You have done, to the praise of Your glory and marvel of many. (Mark 5:20; 7:37)

“He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

“And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and sinners reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” Mark 2:13-15 and Luke 5:28-29

Those who followed Jesus followed Jesus, where He went and whom He loved. Their connection with the Savior became so tight it morphed into connection with those He sought. The more time they spent with Him, the better they knew Him, and the more natural it was to do as He did and love whom He loved. The unease of new discipleship transformed into easy learning at His feet and among His laughter and conversation. Jesus is a remarkable connector of people and purpose.

When we come to know and hang out with Him in rich spiritual communion, the Lord makes great introduction to people and places we may not otherwise know or go. He is the One we follow, His the voice and mannerisms and graciousness we can learn and mimic. As we join Him in His work and ministry, we begin to think His thoughts. We perceive and pursue opportunities as holy missions in His manner and name.

When we get squeamish about certain assignments, or bristle at prickly individuals, or recoil at fearful unknowns, would we lock ourselves to Jesus and allow Him to connect and love through us? What seems unnatural (certainly spending time with righteous ‘church people’ was not normal for tax collectors) softens into natural as the Spirit of God erases prejudices and removes barriers between those made in His image. If we can’t find a connection, we can pray He will providentially reveal one, or more.

Do we shrink from uncomfortable situations because the people and practices are not as we would choose? We must remember, when God chooses to place us among certain people or in a challenging assignment, He goes before us to make a way and is on our side. He will plant in us divine grace, teach us ways to communicate, and show us where to go in conversation and care. People open up when they’re convinced we’re interested in and value them, and the Spirit can then usher us into meaningful discussion about truth and gospel love. (Psalm 32:8; Matthew 10:19; Mark 13:11; Luke 21:15; Romans 8:31)

How hospitable am I to society’s outcasts that I might share Christ with them? When do I deliberately pray for opportunities to join Jesus with ‘sinners’ to portray His light? What individuals has He put in my life who need Him, and what am I specifically doing to share time with, love on, and minister to them? Who might the Lord want to save and transform through a connection I make? Am I a willing and generous conduit of His grace?

Lord, keep me so closely following you that I go where you go, see how you see, serve as Your serve, and love as you love.

“A glorious throne set on high from the beginning
    is the place of our sanctuary.
O Lord, the hope of Israel,
    all who forsake you shall be put to shame;
those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,
    for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
    save me, and I shall be saved,
    for you are my praise.” Jeremiah 17:12-14

“You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Set on high from eternity past and forever, God Almighty reigns. His is a glorious, everlasting throne, and He the unending hope of eternal life and source of joy. Draw near! The place where He dwells and rules is the place of our hush, our glad surrender, our praise. (Exodus 15:18)

Throne: chair or seat occupied by a sovereign or other exalted personage on ceremonial occasions; occupant of a throne; sovereign; office or dignity of a sovereign; sovereign power or authority.

Sanctuary: consecrated place; sacred or holy place; place set aside for worship of the deity. Derived from the Latin ‘sanctuarium,’ a container. A haven, a place of safety.

If a sanctuary is where we bow reverent spirits, lift our eyes, find refuge, peace, rest, and hope, where better than the throne of God? While a sanctuary can be a tangible place, for the child of God it’s more often intangible- a soul place where mind and heart collide in joyous worship of, communion with, and dependence on the one true Sovereign. God’s throne is where we behold with raptured breath His beauties and royal splendor. It’s where we lay desperate burdens of sorrow and need, where unmet longings are covered with compassion, where we find hope that has substance and the confidence to submit because His authority is unshakable, grounded, eternal, and righteous. (Psalm 27:4; 63:2; Hebrews 4:16)

Before what altars are we worshiping? Virtual popularity? Productivity? A collection of degrees, wealth, or awards? Have we made a sanctuary out of personal ‘me’ time or care rather than His presence, purity, and power?

In what ways do we separate religious practice from daily routine, sequestering Sunday sanctuary from weekday integration? Do we pretend to respect and laud God, but stubbornly refuse to surrender to His sway and insist on ruling every aspect of life? Would we stride reverently, vibrantly in the shadow and splendor of God’s throne?

“A little Sanctuary art Thou to me!
O Jesus, best belov’d! I live with Thee;
My heart has found its everlasting home,
Its sure abiding place where’er I roam.

A little Sanctuary art Thou to me!
No fabled shrine, but deep reality!
Thou saidst it should be so when at Thy call
I rose and follow’d gladly, leaving all.

A little Sanctuary art Thou to me!
All joyfully I pitch my tent with Thee;
Or ready still to journey at Thy word—
In Thee I live and move, most blessèd Lord.” ~Emily Crawford (1902)

King of kings, please so hallow the sanctuary of my life that I exalt Your dominion and glory before Your unshakable throne forever. (1 Timothy 6:15; 1 Peter 5:11; Revelation 11:15; 19:16)

“You are the sons of the Lord your God. You… are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth… For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 14:1-2,21c

“Thus says the Lord,
he who created you,..
    he who formed you,.:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.'” Isaiah 43:1-4

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

The divine retinue that is ours in Christ is extraordinary, limitless, and indescribable. A people holy, chosen, treasured, created, formed, called, named, redeemed, precious, honored, loved, possessed. And all that we might know and proclaim His excellencies. Amazing love, how can this be? It is wholly humbling (and God-exalting) that not all are saved, nor own these spiritual riches. Out of all people God has chosen us to be His cherished possession. In sovereign, irresistible grace He pursued us, and in inexplicable love He adopted us as His children. That is what we are, which should make a difference in perception of both self and purpose. (Ephesians 1:5-8; 2:4-6; 1 John 3:1)

With abounding privilege comes remarkable responsibility to serve the Lord and daily bless His name. We were created and called by Him to bring glory to Him. If I am indeed His, royal and holy, what distinguishes my choices, attitudes, and interactions with others from all the peoples of the world as I go about activity and service? How and where am I proclaiming His excellencies and displaying His beauty in my demeanor, speech, and industry? (Isaiah 43:7; 49:3)

The world seems increasingly dark under the influence of the prince of the air. Yet, we’ve been born again into a living hope to be luminaries, effusive with Jesus in everything we do. Do we flaunt His goods, hoard them, or grow complacent about our bounty? What needs to change in our attitude about God’s gracious benevolence toward us to compel sober gratitude and generous spreading abroad of His treasures and fame? (Ephesians 2:1-3; Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

“May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling 
All I do and say.

May the love of Jesus fill me 
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.” ~Kate B. Wilkinson (1925)

As Your beloved child, so be it, Lord, to Your forever glory.

“They came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Do you see anything?’ And he looked up and said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, ‘Do not even enter the village.'” Mark 8:22-26

When the blind man was brought to Jesus, the Healer had a captive audience. He could make a name for Himself and perhaps persuade some curious onlookers into following Him. But instead, He led the disabled man by hand out of the village before addressing him and restoring his sight. With the gentleness of connection and the authority of a leader, He took him away from onlooking crowds, the chatter and comments, any who would use this incident for notoriety or gossip. Jesus led him to a place where he could see clearly, and see Him.

Jesus sees our brokenness and deals with us one on one. He knows the self-pity, criticism, and doubt that press and buzz around us, as well as our spiritual and emotional infirmities. He gets the deception of sin, and the darkness of the world’s influence, every urge and tittilation of temptation. He often needs to remove us from distractions and what we’ve always known to give us new spiritual sight and understanding. With Jesus, away from routine and unaffected by the ‘village’ around us, we learn to see anew. Truly, in His light we see light, and all else, with holy clarity. (Psalm 36:9; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 4:15)

What ‘village’ of ingrained bad habits of temper or favoritism, long-held resentments, unhealthy practices do we need be extricated from to see all God has for us? To what opportunities, needy people, or potential new ministry has our current way of living blinded us? Do we take regular time to leave the village of my schedule, my plans, how it has always been and I like it to be, to meet with Jesus afresh and be changed by His touch? To yield under the pressure of his hands and be redirected to uncomplicated holy living?

And is there anyone who is blinded by the allures of this world, or false teaching, whose hand I can take and lead them to Jesus? Can I see clearly enough to see and care about them?

“Spirit of the living God
We’re leaning in to all You are
Everything else can wait
Spirit of the living God
Come now and breathe upon our hearts
Come now and have Your way.
‘Cause when You speak, when You move
When You do what only You can do
It changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek.” ~Vertical Worship (2015)

Lord, give me the will to leave my comfortable village to be with and changed by You. By the power of Your word and touch, open my eyes to clearly see wondrous things in You, Your word, and Your world, and give you praise. (Psalm 119:18)

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
    save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
    for you answer me.

“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours…
For you are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol…
You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
    give your strength to your servant.” Psalm 86:1-8,10-13,15-16

“O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
    Be our arm every morning,
    our salvation in the time of trouble…
The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
    abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:2,5-6

Soft lines of cloud striate the pale early sky, tracing a back rub from heaven, soothing the morning with a reminder of God’s constant, other-worldly, loving care. In our need, He is the gracious preserver, in our woe He gladdens, in troubled times He is stability. There is none like Him, steadfast and sure.

Yet we waver in steadfastness of spirit, and waffle with unsure, untethered emotions. Voices come at us from every direction, constantly harping, taunting, teasing us into turbulent thinking and frenzied reactions. The psalmist in his very writing sets us both foundation and pattern, declaring with his trust his great need, making specific request, and staking his claim in God’s ownership, goodness, compassion, uniqueness, truth, and love. He approaches God’s throne on the basis of His mercy and grace, exalting His and bowing as His servant.

Would we so turn from complaint and come to our loving Savior’s throne of grace to find help in time of need? Would we stop the negative chatter and whine to others that diminishes any understanding of a Sovereign, and instead lift high praises for His great and wondrous deeds? The trusting, united heart is one that is filled with gratitude, and spills over to exalt Him before those around us. (Hebrews 4:16)

In the upheaval of our times, how confidently do we commune with God? What evidence is there that we live day to day under the banner of God’s grace and stability of His benevolent care?

Father, may all I do represent Your wisdom and steadfast character, that others be drawn to and sure of who You are, and how You love.

“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.'” Matthew 26:36-44

Watch with Me. Watch that you may not be tempted. Watch so you will not fall. Peter had just vehemently, adamantly pledged his loyalty to Jesus, but could not keep hold and watch for fatigue. In contrast, Jesus’s soul was sorrowful unto death, yet every sinew was engaged in worship, wrestling with His Father, waiting until His will be fully surrendered.

Bold assertions not fortified by prayer and dependence will fall flat under fire, proving the weakness of flesh. Failing to watch and pray yields failure in other areas of life: impetuous actions and reactions, disloyalty, betrayal, and temper. But consistent, persistent watching works within the will until perspective and resolve are aligned. (Matthew 26:31-35,51-54,69-75)

Often the watching- the give and take and push and pull of prayer- is what kneads the heart to spiritual health. We pour out desire, express doubt and fear, cry out for help and understanding, and the Almighty responds with grace, discernment, fresh perspective, transformation and fortification of the will, and peace. The tension of our ineptness with His absolute ability and perfection works to bring us to glad trust that He knows best and is always good. When the hour is at hand, we are prepared to rise and go. (Matthew 26:45-46; Romans 12:2)

Many personal situations and cultural or worldwide circumstances rouse wrestling within the will: How can this happen? What should I do, and where begin? Is this really what You require of me? How can this brokenness possibly be repaired or redeemed? Can I trust Your word? Watching with the Lord will guard against temptation and falling, and reorient our resolve. Always on our side, He intercedes with and for us! Are we taking time deliberately to watch?(Romans 8:31,34)

Lord, keep me watching You, and with You, that my will becomes Yours, and Yours be done. (Matthew 6:9-10)

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars, while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, on the mountains in the open country… 

“Thus says the Lord:
‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man
    and makes flesh his strength,
    whose heart turns away from the Lord…

“‘Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord…’

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:1-3,5,7,9

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3

“My son, keep my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you;
keep my commandments and live;
    keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3

“You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.  And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

The prophet’s words for Israel pierced with harsh truth: their sin was so explicit and depraved that it was inscribed on their hearts. Not smudged, nor pencilled, nor shallowly etched, but deeply imprinted and identifiable. Trusting in man and flesh instead of God and His word was consequentially caustic to worship, locale, and generations. Sin poisons the heart, deceives, and spreads its desperate sickness that can be healed, un-inscribed, by One alone.

What is the only cure for the sin-infested heart? Jesus’s blood. For those who have been cleansed and forgiven, what the effective prevention? Inscribing God’s word on our hearts ahead of time, and instead. When the Spirit of God writes His word, and name, and grace upon us, He transforms our trust, allegiances, and desires. He sows life and fruitfulness into and from our lives. (Psalm 51:7; 119:11; Mark 4:3-8,14-20; John 13:1-10; Hebrews 9:14)

To what are we exposing our sensibilities and affections that would engrave in our behavior or reputation lasting detriment, or dishonor to God? How will we inscribe His word more clearly, and permanently, on our hearts?

“O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free;
a heart that’s sprinkled with the blood
so freely shed for me:

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer’s throne;
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone:

A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from him that dwells within:

A heart in every thought renewed,
and full of love divine;
perfect and right and pure and good —
a copy, Lord, of thine.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)

O Lord, engrave Your beauties upon my heart, that I might faithfully bear Your grace, love, and truth to those around me. So imprint me with Your character and light that Your excellencies are beheld and You are glorified.

“Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, ‘You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess..: all the regions of the Philistines, the Geshurites.., the Avvim,.. all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah.., to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath,.. to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Allot the land to Israel for an inheritance.’” Joshua‬ ‭13:1-7‬

Old and advanced in years, Joshua may have felt ready to rest, relax. He was likely worn weary by his warrior work’s routine and challenges, yet the Lord did not give permission. In fact, He said the opposite: there was still land to conquer. Very much land. He knew that a life continually dependent on Him would be most satisfying for this godly commander, and would effect His purposes for Israel. Even after Joshua’s death, He would teach and test Israel’s faith through war, so this training with Joshua at their helm was key. (Judges 3:1-2)

When God calls His children to service, He expects that we fulfill that calling to the end. We might, after strenuous service or a particularly difficult or long assignment, feel it is time to retire, recreate, reinvent me and do what I want to do. Yet, while life circumstances may change, affecting our ability to remain where we are or doing what we are doing, the Lord’s call to exercise every unique gift and serve wholeheartedly is irrevocable. As long as we have breath, the Lord has land- some kind of land- for us to conquer. (Romans 11:29; Philippians 3:14; Colossians 3:23; 2 Timothy 4:5-7)

What mosts tempts us to give up in our work for the Lord? When worldly whispers tempt us away, would we retune our ears to God’s voice and realign with His call? Taking all His land in obedience and His strength brings great delight.

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
his army he shall lead
till ev’ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.” ~George Duffield (1858)

Lord, help me stand up and press on to follow Your call to all the land You have for me, in Your design and for Your glory.

“A man lame from birth was… laid daily at the gate of the temple… Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God,  and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement…

“While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran to them in the portico… Peter addressed the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of… our fathers glorified his servant Jesus… And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know.'”

“They were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead… Many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number… came to about five thousand…

“‘Let it be known… that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well… There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’

“When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus… ‘We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'” Acts 3:2-13,16; 4:2-4,10,12-13,20

The lame beggar’s gaze was one of resigned hopelessness and hungry temporal survival, while Peter and John both perceived and looked upon him with hope and life beyond the here and now. Helplessness was borne of limited physical and spiritual resources, where hope held fast all that is true and unchanging. The disciples would not give what he thought he wanted; they wanted to give him so much more.

We hear pleas and respond with assertions or donations on impulse and emotion, without really thinking, or knowing what is needed. Getting caught up in and distracted by tangibles can keep us from assessing and utilizing the intangibles we own in Christ. As Christians, we have great and varied opportunity to make a significant, eternal difference by giving what others cannot: the gospel of life and grace that heals and re-creates. (1 Corinthians 3:21,23)

Do I hesitate to be generous because of what I don’t have- time, resources, inclination- rather than draw on the bounty God has entrusted to me in Christ? What needs do I ascertain that will shift me from hoarding to spreading God’s light and truth?

Lord, lead and fill me with your Spirit that I boldly speak life-giving words, so others are astounded at and by your grace. (Acts 4:29–31, 33)