what do you weigh?

Please take a moment to appreciate the sheer brilliance of this post title. I've been practicing my click bait technique, can you tell? 

(brief pause as Beth reads the title again and let's out a long sigh of contented happiness) 

Okaaaay, let me explain. 

To function in the adult world, some sort of analyzing or mental weighing has got to take place. Like hmmm, should I let that strange man with a face mask and crowbar into my home to replace plumbing I didn't know was broken? Or, should I spend my paycheck on a new piece of local art instead of groceries this week? (jury still out on that one) Maybe those aren't the most relevant examples, BUT each one of us weighs all the time whether we realize it or not. 

And then there's the times I analyze what's in my heart. And I find (along with the deceitfully wicked part) huge emotions like gratitude and love and wonder for Jesus Christ that just might explode and tear straight through me if I don't keep a tight lid on them. All believers experience this to some extent. We've been created and redeemed to glorify God. We are bent that way as new creatures. 

And I find that I want to do something for God that matches the hugeness of these emotions, you know? Something that will express them accurately on a human scale lest they burn straight through me or waste away somehow. And there's the rub: I'm using a human scale. My own understanding. A scale that says I've got to go somewhere exotic or do something outrageously difficult or fantastically adventurous or be some scintillating phenomenon in the Christian galaxy to accurately display what's in my heart for God.  

But when I weigh on this scale, I forget. 

I forget that God's scale doesn't work like this. I forget there's heaps of glory to be placed on His scale simply in my eating, and drinking, and everyday doing. Forget that He weighs carefully each cup of water given a tiny child. I forget how many of Christ's words were spent teaching the dense value of simple, faithful stewardship. (1 Cor. 13; Matt. 10; Lk. 16)

I forget that He's glorified every time I just do with my might what I find in my hand. That each act of service for those considered the 'least of these my brethren' makes His scale hang heavy low with its weight. How sometimes He quantifies the value of one as much greater than one. That if, without faith, it is impossible to please Him, every choice, and action and thought with faith does please Him. That each unseen act of surrender and sacrifice is weighed by the one who sees in secret. And that ongoing trial of faith? On God's scale is much more precious than gold that perishes, weighing in as an eternal weight of glory. (Col. 3; Matt. 6,13,18,25; Lk. 15; Heb. 112 Cor. 4; 1 Pet. 1:7)

And that's just a smattering of the most obvious examples. 

SO. Let's throw martyrdom and 'burning out for Christ' and all missionary and full-time ministry work, and all the outrageous acts of faith and sacrifice recorded from the beginning of time out the kitchen window. Okay? 

No no no no no no. that's not what I'm saying.

I'm saying let's stop using our own scale to measure what we (and others) do for Christ. Stop assuming we can only weigh large things. That the biggest act of service we can think of must be the best. That we must all be in full-time ministry to fully show God how much we love Him. Because we don't find that in Scripture. We find a God who is quick to point out and exult the small and hidden and seemingly insignificant. A God who gives diverse gifts, desires, and responsibilities that we are to weave together and carefully bend towards His glory. And sometimes that bending looks like being a missionary, evangelist, pastor, mother, employee, student, spouse, writer, caretaker... And God sees the heart and tries the motives, and weighs sometimes the most unlikely things on His Divine scale. 
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So what do I weigh? (heheheh...ahem.) 

Sometimes, what I shouldn't. Sometimes, using a faulty scale. But I'm asking God to change that. I want to become skillful at using His scale. To value how and what He values. And may He receive more glory through it. 

Beth 

Easter meditation

The Empty Tomb (public domain, wikimedia commons) 

Of all the sacred events we celebrate each year, I think I feel Easter the most. I'm thrown from the depth of the garden to the height of the empty tomb in just a few days time. And what happens in between? Man's been searching for words that can bear the weight of that for over a thousand years. 

So today I add my own words to the mix. Words in obvious need of better rhyme and meter. But, nevertheless, a sincere outpouring of my heart in this passion week. May their truth encourage you as you enter the Easter weekend! 

I listen at Gethsemane, calm glen of Christ the Lord, 

Hear him kneel among the olives; pressed out and poured.

In the heavy shade, fervent prayers resound

and surrender's crimson drops saturate the ground.

I watch alone at Calvary, steep hill of sin's high cost.

See displayed my greatest gain; and for Him the bitter loss. 

Through the thick of night, eyes of faith behold

The Son of God forsaken work a love untold.  

I feel the hollowed sepulcher, cold tomb of man's defeat. 

touch where the seal was broken, and all victory released. 

From the damp of death, sparked a living flame

Where all may bask in the warmth of the risen Lamb.

Beth 

to my married peers

Hello! 

I'm Beth. And even though you may not adore the color green, chopsticks, writing, interior design, coffee, sunshine, dark chocolate, and all forms of donut and bacon like I do (why is there so much food in that list?), we still have a TON in common.

You may not realize this.

Because we're in different seasons of life. 

You have a spouse and possibly children. I don't. That simple fact is a HUGE part of our lives. It's changed (and is changing) both of us in tangible ways. Whether we like it or not.

Also, in our culture, our life season dictates much of what we do. In many churches we have different classes, activities, and places we sit in services. We both naturally gravitate to our own singles/married peers. You have a different a social circle based on your family stage of life. We will be considered for different committees, roles, and ministries based solely on our season of life. Some of this is as it should be. And some of it's not. 

Anyway, I've been thinking alot about you and all we DO have in common...and I've whittled all the extraneous brain meanderings down to a few (hopefully less random) thoughts. So grab a cup of coffee and unwrap some dark chocolate morsels with me while I say...

Hey! Let's connect over our history. 

No need to get specific here (thank me by sending donuts pleaz), but we're the same age! Which means I grew up when you did. Played with the same toys. Watched the same movies. We wore our hair the same way (Heaven help us). We left home around the same year. Most likely, we slodged through the same four years of college. We entered the grown-up world and began our first jobs at the same time in our nation's history. We've voted in the same elections. Because we're in the same generation, much of 'what we do and think' is similar. 

Those commonalities alone could fill hours (or bits and pieces of minutes in between our crazy schedules) with connecting. Let's do it!

Hey! Let's connect over life responsibilities.

We both got 'em, bless their hearts. We both got to shop, budget, pay bills, clean, cook, disciple those in our care, nurture our spiritual lives, maintain vehicles, lawns, etc. etc. etc. Granted, these responsibilities are going to look a bit different for both of us. But please remember that singles are not frittering their way through long hours of strolling through sunlit fields or lolling around for whole afternoons in trendy coffee shops. We are functioning adults carrying a grown-up load just like you. We're just carrying this load as one instead of two. So, hey! We can chat and pray and counsel and encourage (and swap awesome ideas!) with each other over these life responsibilities. Let's do it! 

Hey! Let's connect over Christ. 

Your perspective on Christ will be different from mine. Things you've discovered about Him that relate to your marriage and parenting. Analogies and examples and experiences that crack parts of His character wide-open for you. Boy would I ever like to hear those things! To hear how you've grown and learned more of Christ through your season of life. I want to magnify Him together with you! And marvel at Who He is by how He's been at work in your marriage and parenting. Please, do not shy away from sharing these things. 

(Confession: I follow several mommy bloggers for this very reason. Totally LOVE you guys! Don't stop using this platform to share what God is doing in and through you as women of God. You display a unique grace that we can all take courage from.)  

Singles have a unique perspective on God as well. We've learned things about Him that you may not have had opportunity to, simply because we've done life so far as a single. Ask us about that. And let's wonder over the multi-faceted glory of our God together. 

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Want another confession? On the surface, you seem so very different than me. Totally wrapped up in your life. Like, totally. There are times I don't even understand the language you're speaking. Phrases like "and then I looked down and was covered in my kid's diarrhea" don't even process in my brain. I'm sure that singles must come across the same way. So very different from you. Totally wrapped up in our lives. Totally. There must be times you don't even understand the language we're speaking. Like "and then I looked up and realized I'd been alone for the last four hours..."

But our differences don't negate our commonalities; they only make them stand out in beautiful relief. So let's connect over our history, life lessons, and relationship with Christ.

Know what's great? I've experienced this connection with so many of you!! It's WONDERFUL. Some of you are being fantastically creative in building bridges into singles' lives. If you fall into that category, DON'T STOP. And if you don't, whether you're single or married, GET STARTED building those connections. Donuts, bacon, chocolate, and coffee aside...

We have much to gain from that connection.

Beth  

what God ordains is always good

Do you ever stumble upon someone's work and think: 'that's it! Just what I've been thinking. Why couldn't I have put it in those words?' Yeah, I may be suffering major writing envy after coming across this elegant poem by Samuel Rodigast the other day. And its setting by Josh Bauder showcases these truths beautifully. You can listen to it *here* if you like. 

I cannot explain how sincere a testimony these words are to what the Lord has been teaching me recently. I trust they will refresh and instruct your heart as they have mine! 

Beth

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 What God ordains is always good;
 His will abideth holy.
 As He directs my life for me,
 I follow meek and lowly.
 God indeed in every need
 Doth well know how to shield me;
 To Him, then, I will yield me.
 
 What God ordains is always good. 
 He never will deceive me;
 He leads me in His own right way,
 And never will He leave me.
 I take content What He hath sent;
 His hand that sends me sadness
 Will turn my tears to gladness.
 
 What God ordains is always good.
 His loving thought attends me;
 No poison can be in the cup
 That my Physician sends me.
 My God is true; Each morn anew
 I'll trust His grace unending,
 My life to Him commending.
 
 What God ordains is always good. 
 He is my Friend and Father;
 He suffers naught to do me harm,
 Though many storms may gather.
 Now I may know Both joy and woe,
 Some day I shall see clearly
 That He hath loved me dearly.
 
 What God ordains is always good. 
 Though I the cup am drinking
 Which savors now of bitterness,
 I take it without shrinking.
 For after grief God grants relief,
 My heart with comfort filling
 And all my sorrow stilling.
 
 What God ordains is always good. 
 This truth remains unshaken.
 Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
 I shall not be forsaken.
 I fear no harm, For with His arm
 He shall embrace and shield me;
 So to my God I yield me. 

but where is the lamb?

Hit the mute button, and the drama of Genesis 22 begins like pulling on a favorite sweater: it's all comfortable familiarity. We watch as God speaks to Abraham, and Abraham prepares to sacrifice to God...we know these actors and this plot. We recognize the bundled kindling. The journey to an outlying location. The heavy clunk of stone on stone. It's all happened before. But one detail's missing. It burns in our minds. The servants must have wondered over it. Abraham must be consumed with it. 

Laurent de La Hyre (public domain) via wikimedia commons

But it's Isaac's young voice that speaks the words in the wide-open: where is the lamb? And we cringe with the irony. You see, we've not hit mute. We know Abraham knows. Knows God's promise: through Isaac... Knows God's command: offer up Isaac. The strongest contradiction. And the lamb for sacrifice? it's his son. And Isaac is his only. 

As the scenes change, we glimpse Abraham's faith. He assures the servants: "the lad and I will come back." He comforts Isaac, "God Himself will provide a lamb." But those words wisp away as we watch the altar take shape, the child strapped down, the knife raised...and the air around us stifles thick with how and why and what if and God can't require that. 

I mean, what if God requires what is dearest to us? 

What could possibly be worthy of our only? 

And what of God's promises in life's strong contradictions? 

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God will always keep His promise.

God gives a child then takes them away. Obedience brings persecution. A step of faith slams us into a wall of opposition. We long to "go into all the world" yet God-given responsibilities strap us home. We raise our children right and they go wrong. God invites me to pray and yet He does not give me my request. Life contradictions frustrate and discourage us. Cause us to doubt. To wonder, how can God say this yet do this?

Enter the promises of God. He has always kept them. And those not yet fulfilled? Hang secure on the hundreds that have been. No wind of contradiction can topple them. But what are promises in the midst of contradiction? They are lifelines. Statements from and about a sovereign God that offer a Divine perspective to our marred, dim understanding. Want to know what God is going to do? He will always do His promises. Abraham gets this. Hebrews 11 reveals he's not panicked by seeming contradiction. He's thinking God is able to raise (Isaac) up, even from the dead. He's imagining how God will keep His promise.

God is worthy of our only______. 

People offering up their 'onlys' is a recurring theme in Scripture. The prophet Elijah is given bread made from a widow's only cruise of oil and spot of flour. Hannah offers her only child to God's work. A woman casts in all that she has at the temple coffer. A boy offers Christ his only food. Scenes like these are flung far and wide through Scripture. And God is keenly aware of them. They're carefully recorded, poignant moments filled with vibrant details. When Christ is physically present? He points them out Himself. Faith is mixed with these offerings too. An assurance that what was receiving the offering was worthy of it. We find this in Genesis 22 as well. Abraham is willing to take this scene as far as he needs to. If his only son--his dearest possession-- must be offered, God was worthy of that offering. 

Why is He worthy? God's sacrifice makes Him worthy of sacrifice. His offering that enables us to drawn near to Him and be filled with Him. Reconciling us. working peace. giving eternal life. justified and sanctified. forgiven. Friends, all of my dearest, and best, and only's may be heaped at once upon an altar and set aflame before God and that light would be but a flicker-shadow to the brilliance of God's Son. Sacrificed for me.

Sometimes God will require the sacrifice of what is dearest to us. 

The drama of Genesis 22 has a thrilling climax and satisfying conclusion. An angel stays Abraham's hand. Isaac is delivered from certain death, and his father richly praised for his faith. But sometimes more than a willingness is required. There's a time when God required the sacrifice of someone's dearest. A Son. An Only. And though angels would have swooped to that rough-hewn wood slung deep in the warm earth, there would be no rescue from the sacrifice this time. We find a holy irony here too. For God is requiring the sacrifice of His own beloved. The one in whom He was well-pleased. A sacrifice made unto death, even the death of the cross. Sometimes, God will receive what we offer up to Him. 

There is great reward for great sacrifice. 

There will always be a "seeing thou has not withheld..." --a rich reward--when we offer precious things to God. Abraham receives the thrilling confirmation of God's covenant. Not only that, but in him will all nations of the earth be blessed. The scope of that blessing includes us! And because Christ was not withheld? God has highly exalted Him. Given Him a name above every name. And "Millions, dead, now live again, myriads follow in His train!" The gush of blessing from that sacrifice cannot be controlled. When we offer to God what we hold most dear, He glorifies Himself and pours out a blessing that cannot be measured. 

So friend? Give to God from your dearest coffers. The treasury of your 'onlys.' Your best hours, strength, and thoughts. Those possessions and loves you hold closest. Offer them with open hand. Holy and presentable. Like a spotless lamb lain limp on the altar. And by faith, understand this: God is keenly aware of that offering, and if He require it? The weight of your reward and the heaping glory to His name cannot be fathomed. 

Beth