Outward Appearance

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
--1st Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

Even before the plane took off, the two other passengers seated in the row with me leafed intently through the pages of In Style magazine. They poured over each air-brushed photograph, commenting on the model's figure, wardrobe, and accessories. What shocked me most was that this critical pair also speculated on the character and personal details of the lives of the celebrities they ogled.

Judging people based on their outward appearance is easy to do. Very often we make gross assumptions about a person as the result of prejudging them in such a manner. In doing so, we unfairly criticize, forming hard and fast opinions that may be contrary to a person's true character.

The world sees and judges us according to superficial standards, but God sees the spirit, and evaluates each supernaturally. God looks at a person's heart. He judges fairly and justly, without regard to external appearances. There is nothing about us that is unseen by the one who created us. Nothing about us escapes his attention. God sees each of us as we truly are.

Reflecting Pool:


Do you worry about your outward appearance or judge people based on theirs?
What does God see in your heart today?

Sight Seeing

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. --Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

My husband and I went to San Francisco over the weekend. As is usually the case when we go out of town, we learned a bit more about each other. I learned that when it comes to sight-seeing, Brad doesn't mind walking around, just taking it all in. He is content to operate without a schedule or itinerary. I'm the opposite. Not only do I like knowing where I'm going, but I prefer to know when I'll arrive and what I'll be doing once I get there.

I realized that my husband's approach (although initially maddening to me) was actually a good example of what it means to live according to Proverb 3:5,6. He knew that as long as we were walking in the right direction, we'd eventually find what we were hoping to see. He didn't rely on his own understanding of the situation; after all, we were unfamiliar with the city, but we at least knew how to read the street signs.

There are times in life when we wish we knew the details of how things were going to work together. We want to know when certain blessings are going to be given to us. We desire to know why things aren't going the way we expected. We even go so far as to think that so long as we're doing everything "right" according to our own standards, that God has no other choice than to give us what we've been seeking. This is not the best way to live, and it can be a very frustrating one.

When we trust God completely, and make sure that we look up and read the street signs at life's intersections, we invite much more peace into our lives. Instead of trying to control the situation ourselves, creating a checklist or timetable for all that we think should be happening in life, we should be acknowledging God. When we lean on our own understanding, we fall over.

God is rarely secretive about the things he wants us to learn or the sights he wants to show us in this lifetime. When we read His Word, we learn about what it is He has planned for us. His Word is much more than a road map for life; it is God's plan for our life and our eternity. When we learn to acknowledge him in all our paths, he not only gets us to our destination, but affords us the opportunity for some great sight seeing along the way. The things He teaches us about himself are incredible. I only wish I had started leaning on Him sooner.

Fashioning My Words

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. --Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

It's hardly a secret that women talk more than men. Although it's impossible to verify the exact statistics, it is believed that women use somewhere on the order of 20,000 words per day. In considering this information, along with the fact that Solomon had 700 wives, is it any wonder that he would know an aptly spoken word when he heard it?

What exactly is an aptly spoken word? More importantly, what spiritual significance is there in such a manner of speech?

The word, aptly, describes anything that is done in a competent manner. Competent words are those that are spoken in such a way that they are beneficial, verifiable, and relevant. As the imagery used by Solomon suggests, apt words are also lovely and precious. When I picture golden apples in settings of silver, I think about what was involved in fashioning such a thing. What comes to mind first is the notion that great care and craftsmanship would be necessary to produce the desired result.

There are times (too many to count now) when my words, especially my spoken words, are far from lovely. I allow my voice to give life to careless thoughts. When they tumble from my lips I watch as they landing painfully and haphazardly on their intended target. This is not the sort of thing I should be doing with my mouth, and it is not the sort of thing that is consistent with a woman whose heart is attuned to the things of God.

Rather than opening my mouth just to hear myself talk, I should seek first to fashion my words carefully and thoughtfully. When I pause, giving the Holy Spirit some time to reveal to me how speak obediently, as one who desires earnestly to take every thought captive --as the apostle Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians 10:5b--I am submitting myself to God's authority. This should always be my goal, whether in word or in deed.

No matter how well I may use my vocabulary to express myself, unless my words are seasoned with grace, they will be lifeless. Even if I bring all my educational background and professional expertise into a conversation with others, unless I examine my words in the light of the gospel, I will appear ignorant. I seek to make it my heart's desire that I communicate verbally in ways that are beneficial, relevant, and altogether lovely in the eyes of God.

For the Beauty of the Earth

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place. --Proverbs 3:19 (NIV)

As an environmental scientist, I have a unique appreciation for the handiwork of the Creator. Earth science in general has always fascinated me, but when I was a college student this interest grew with each course in which I enrolled. Aside from what I had already learned about God from reading the Bible, two classes in particular truly re-emphasized God's awesome power and the wisdom with which he laid the earth's foundations and set the heavens in their place.

My lower division environmental science classes taught me about the delicate balance that exists in nature. As a Christian I know this did not come about by accident. Each glacier, each soil deposit, and each plant, have been deliberately placed in specific climates. The boundaries between freshwater and salt water were drawn by God, as were the paths for the rivers and their tributaries. All too often we fail to see the intricate design of this earth and marvel at the One who created it.

I read the following in one of my geology textbooks: "Some relationships [of the earth's systems] are so complex that scientists are only just beginning to understand them." Even with my scientific background, there are plenty of things that I don't understand about how the earth works.That's because my wisdom is nowhere close to God's. No one will ever completely understand the biological, physical and chemical nature of God's creation and the complexities with which those systems work together. Richard Dawkins, a renowned zoologist writes in his book The Blind Watchmaker, of the "sheer hugeness of biological complexity and the beauty and elegance of biological design..."

Whenever I stop and look at the world around me, or focus intently on my work, I am astonished at the earth's beauty. I am humbled to think that such a powerful God would share his most impressive works with me. His wisdom and understanding dwarfs my own, and for that I praise Him!

Let My Pride Fall Down

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. --Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

I struggle with pride. There are days when I view certain things in my life as having come from my efforts and not as blessings straight from God. With a haughty spirit I think to myself "look at what I did" and give myself a virtual pat on the back. I'm ashamed of this attitude and embarrassed by how easily I open my ears to the lies that the enemy knows whispers to me to make me lose sight of God.

In the past, it was selfish pride that drove me to keep God at arm's length, failing to yield to his authority. I thought that I was doing just fine on my own and didn't need an unseen God to somehow run my life for me. Now I see just how dangerous this attitude was. God graciously saved me from this when He called my name and I finally responded. Had this not happened, my pride would have caused me to stumble and fall in the worst way possible--I very well could have fallen into a lifetime of sin and have spent my eternity out of God's favor.

These days when my pride threatens to unseat God from a place of central prominence in my life, I remember the consequence of such behavior and I am immediately humbled. I would much rather my pride fall down and that God would send me to my knees than fall back into depravity. Even when I'm prideful, God is merciful enough to stay beside me. He is never frustrated by my shortcomings. He continues to teach me and mold me into a better person, not to mention a more humble person.

Smudged

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. --Proverbs 13:16 (NIV)

"Come on, come on," I muttered agitatedly.

The printer whirred calmly with mechanical indifference, unaware that I was under a bit of pressure. Several seconds later, the page of labels I had been waiting for so impatiently began to appear. I yanked my prize unceremoniously from the printer before the sheet was completely free of the rollers. In doing so I managed to smudge the ink on the bottom half of the page, rendering the text unreadable.

That was just one mistake I made, but it kept me from making an even bigger one.

In my haste to prepare my packages to meet the FedEx pickup deadline in the mail room, I had fed glossy labels into an inkjet printer. The labels smudged largely because I hadn't allowed the ink to dry. However, I realized that with a little bit of effort I could use my thumb to wipe away the addresses on the other labels too. I'm glad I noticed this small but critical detail before I shipped the packages out to our clients. What a disaster this could have caused had I proceeded to put them in the mail!

There are times when little inconveniences--particularly the kind we cause ourselves like in my smudged label situation--make me pause just long enough to sit back and look at the bigger picture. Some of the things that seem to slow me down are my own fault. Nonetheless, I am quite certain that everything happens for a reason. In my own experience those things are not just happenstance or coincidence. God uses such things to remind me to look to him for answers, direction and instruction, not to mention discipline.

Today I learned that it's okay if I don't get things right the first time, but I do need to slow down and pay attention to the things that matter. I am thankful for the seemingly inconvenient things that God uses to get my attention.

Foolish Things

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. --Proverbs 1:32-33 (NIV)

I knew that going down the slide head first rather than feet first was sure to end badly. I was not about to risk my front teeth just to see what the thrill was about. So I made my sister do it. In what must have been a brilliant display of elder-sister wisdom, I managed to convince her that we were conducting a very important experiment. My hypothesis was correct! Going down the slide head first was a disaster, as evidenced by a bloody lip and one very infuriated mother.

To my sister's credit, she's a quick study. Later that summer when I wanted to make a parachute out of the bedsheets, she opted to be the ground crew rather than the test pilot.

Doing foolish things is part of being a kid. The process of learning about the world around us involves some trial and error...and sometimes a little more error. Eventually, we reach the point where we know which things are good ideas and which are not. Whether we make our own mistakes or learn from the mistakes of others, the end result is the same--wisdom is gained and the art of self-preservation is perfected.

Once we are safely out of childhood, the process begins anew. However, life is not as simple as it once was. The sometimes-overwhelming urge to go against conventional wisdom and common sense is hardly new. Our naturally rebellious nature always battles against good judgment. We desire to give in to this selfish feeling even when we know full well that somewhere down the road there will be consequences. The consequences of sin are more than just a bloody lip, a bruised knee, or a spanking from mom.

The writer of Proverbs 1 writes "fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom." Wisdom begins with reverence for God and a desire to uphold his commandments. In the absence of wisdom, foolishness takes root and begins to thrive. Remaining foolish, disregarding God's laws or becoming complacent in our attitudes is the fast track to destruction.

I used to be a fool. I did things that I knew were bad ideas at the time, but that wasn't enough to stop me from doing them. In each of those foolish instances, I sinned. By God's mercy and grace I have not been overtaken and I do not remain a fool. He is faithful to forgive, and continues to instill in me a desire to gain wisdom and discernment. I'm not perfect. The part of me that has gained wisdom will continue to battle my sinful nature for the rest of my natural life. Even so, I do not need to worry about being destroyed by my mistakes. God has already forgiven them.

Straight Aim

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. --Proverbs 4:25-26 (NIV)


I had carefully measured on the wall into which I needed to drill. The spacing between each mark where the screws were to be placed was precise. I climbed up the ladder, lined up the drill bit with the mark, and pressed the trigger. In a matter of seconds there appeared a neat hole, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, disappointingly angled upward instead of straight back.

What happened? My measurements were fine, but my technique was not. Instead of setting the ladder in a spot where I could position myself directly in front of the marks I had made, I was standing too far to one side. As a result, the hole I drilled was imperfect.

My failure to drill a hole straight into the wall is not much different from my inability to live a perfect life. No matter how hard I try or how carefully I try to avoid sinful behavior, I cannot. The word sin means "to miss the mark." Because I am a sinner, I will always miss the mark when it comes to living a life that is completely obedient to God's commandments.

As long as I attempt to do things on my own, I will be walking on uneven ground. This will only serve to complicate things if I will to align myself with God's rules for a perfect life. To be obedient, I must train my eyes to look straight ahead. This means doing exactly what the apostle Paul said--fixing my eyes on Jesus. When I am focused on Christ and following him, he leads me in paths of righteousness. When I walk where he leads and take the path that he has pointed out to me, I know my footing is firm.

Even though I am a sinner and have missed the mark of perfection, I still have value. Unlike the angled hole in my wall, which cannot be used as originally intended, I am able to be restored to perfection and holiness through Christ's work in me. Daily I must take straight aim as I focus on him and actively abide in him.

Chemistry and Character

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. --Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

One of my favorite types of chemistry lab experiments in college involved a procedure called titration. The purpose of carrying out a titration is to be able to determine the strength of a solution. This is done by adding a bright purple colored chemical indicator to a beaker containing a colorless liquid of unknown concentration. Slowly and steadily, one drop at a time, the indicator is added to the colorless solution. Because of the way the chemicals react, the purple indicator doesn't have any visible effect on the solution until quite a bit of it has been added. The procedure is complete when the very faintest of color change is observed.

Outside of the chemistry lab I observed something similar in a social setting. I learned that whether we intend it to happen or not, we are all prone to be influenced in some way. People of strong godly character are able to make wise decisions about the company they keep. They surround themselves with friends who edify them, support their worldview, and encourage them to walk closely with God. Conversely, people without a strong connection to God or a personal relationship with him, often find themselves with fewer true, lasting friends. Without a firm foundation in Christ, these people live primarily for the world and its pursuits.

In both cases, people are being influenced. Like in the titration procedure, the resulting "color" of a person's character depends on the "indicator". As God's word says in 1st Corinthians 15:33, bad company corrupts good character. Sometimes this is immediately apparent, other times it happens slowly and gradually as bad choices give way to sinful behavior and eventual destruction.

The benefits of making good friends and the effect it has on character can sometimes be a gradual process too. It has been my personal experience that taking the time to get to know people well enough to form quality, meaningful friendships can be just as involved as carefully tending to a titration procedure. Fortunately, we don't have to worry about friendship being an exact science. As long as we are an active part of a body of believers and regularly gather together with others, we can be sure that we will be plenty of opportunities to meet people of godly character.

What Took You So Long?

He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. --Proverbs 13: 18-19 (NIV)

I'm stubborn. Upon reading that admission, my husband and parents are likely gasping in mock disbelief. When I was little, I was so stubborn that I refused to accept help in extracting very loose baby teeth--even to the point where they would border on infection. I wish I could say that those days are behind me. However, even as an adult I have at times managed to turn my mule-like behavior into an art form.

The root of stubbornness is selfishness and self-importance. These two unappealing characterizations are a mere stone's throw away from blatant sinfulness. At first glance that comparison seems harsh--even to me--but it's a harsh reality with which we must all come to grips. Like many people, my ego would like to believe that mere selfish actions or attitudes aren't as bad on the non-existent "sin scale" like murder or blasphemy. However, by putting myself, my will, my whims and my desires in such an elevated position of importance, I am not able to focus wholly on God.

Stubbornness is a double-whammy when it comes to interfering with God's intentions for a relationship with him. First, it breaks the greatest commandment which Jesus said is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" (Mark 12:30). Second, it gives the enemy a foothold. Satan has a way of convincing us that self-importance and its close cousin, self-reliance, are apt substitutes for the savior that is Jesus Christ.

Some people hesitate to make a commitment to Christ because they feel unworthy of the gift of grace. Truly we are all unworthy. However, I'm inclined to believe that the vast majority of us are just too stubborn to accept the reality that our eternal security is dependent on someone other than ourselves, namely, Jesus. My mom once said that she is glad she was brought up in a home where the necessity of salvation was emphasized throughout her childhood. Why? As she once put it, "I'm too stubborn to have bought into it as an adult."

Salvation is not something to "buy into." The price has already been paid in the shed blood of God's one and only Son. Rejecting the gift of grace (God's righteousness at Christ's expense), is the worst kind of fool-hardy stubbornness and selfishness. I am awed by the fact that God sought me out, stubborn streak and all, to rescue me from the consequences of my sinfulness. It's a good thing that God is so patient since much of his creation is so stubborn. I'm pretty sure that when I became a Christian, God must have smiled, opened his loving arms to me and said "what took you so long?"

Acknowledgment

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. --Proverbs 3:5-6

How often do we take full credit for things that were really the result of God's work? Why is it that we are inclined to blame God when things aren't going well, rather than accept it? When things go well, do we feed our egos and attribute it to superior effort on our part?

To trust in the Lord completely for any situation or circumstance, we need to understand that the outcome is entirely in His hands. We trust that no matter what, His will is going to be done. Along those same lines, trusting Him means that we believe that His will is going to be brought about in a way that is best for us. This may or may not mean that the end result is going to be appealing or in line with our expectations. Sometimes we may not even understand the results.

I have learned that it's okay if life doesn't make sense. There are times when I actually prefer that it doesn't. If I understood the minutiae of every detail that is part of God's plan for my life, God would cease to be Sovereign in my mind. If I understood enough to answer every "why", I would be at the same level as the Creator, which should not be.

Because I am a creature, I must acknowledge God's presence and guiding hand no matter how I elect to proceed in my own ways. In doing so, my paths are made straight--even the most winding, daunting ones that test my knowledge and understanding of my place in God's world.

Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. --Proverbs 16:9

My husband is a particularly analytical guy, which is one of the things I like most about him. He is able to look at a situation calmly and rationally before jumping ahead with an action plan. He prayerfully considers the options and then, as they say in NASA's space program, awaits the "go/no go for launch."

I am admittedly the opposite. I compulsively attempt to control the details and outcomes of the events in my life, only to realize that I am not the one in control after all. No matter how many plans I make--even if they are admirable or worthwhile ones, God's is the one who makes the final call on what happens in my life.

This isn't to say that my plans don't line up with God's. When I am truly seeking to abide in Christ and to align myself with His will and desire for me, it is much easier to see the path he has laid out for me. A few examples come to mind that demonstrate how God blessed me with the things I desired--it just took a different path than I expected.

My husband and I have to continually remind each other that God's plan for us involves a lot of prayer on our parts. This doesn't mean that the more we pray about something the more likely it is for us to get what we want. Instead, it means that the more time we spend in prayer about a particular issue, the more we are able to recognize God's will. When this happens we see that God makes it very obvious which doors are open, which ones are closed, and which ones may only be slightly ajar at this point.

The bottom line is, we are not to be complacent in the way we live out God's will in our lives, nor do we need to be overly proactive about making things happen. There are times when it is far better to just stand there rather than do something out of selfish ambition. Our hearts determine our plans and our course, which points us in the right direction--but the energy to put one foot in front of the other on a particular path comes from God, as does the speed in which we take to that path.

An All-Encompassing Plan

The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster. --Proverbs 16:4


2006 has arrived. As many of us replace last year's calendar with a new one, we experience something of a feeling of relief. There on the page before us lie several empty spaces, each one unmarred by the touch of a pen. For a moment, we have a clean slate, a fresh start, and very little frustration over time misspent. We resolve to make every moment of this year count. No more wasting time. No more idling away the hours when we could be doing something productive.

Before long, we settle back into the routine of human nature. We are not as self-disciplined as we wish to be. Our self-serving attitudes prevent us from being the kind of people who never have any regrets. Fortunately, we do not need to give in to self-loathing because of our short-comings. Even in our most miserable failures, horrendous lapses in judgement, or just plain "off-days" God is still at work in our lives.

Christian or not, there is absolutely nothing we can do that derails God's plan for His people. He is the Sovereign ruler of the universe, the Creator of our hearts and minds, the great I Am. He knows and has known each of us before we were even conceived. He knows us intimately, as He does with all parts of His creation. Not a single thing happens here on earth that hasn't passed through God's fingers first.

We may not understand why things in His plan happen the way the do. For my part, all I can do is exercise my faith in His ways, and trust that His word is true. From the first dawn of creation, to the final days when Christ sets up His kingdom on earth, God's all encompassing plan is making the wheels of time and space come together in such a way that His glory will ultimately be revealed even among those who do not yet know His name.

He works out everything for His own ends. I am curious and excited to see what His plan has for me in 2006.

Gentle Answers

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.--Proverbs 15:1


At one time or another, each of us has had to deal with conflict in some form. Conflict requires resolution, which cannot be obtained without enlisting the help of that dreaded "C" word--confrontation. Many people fear confrontation, especially since it involves fear of the unknown. Whether we are on the receiving end or the initiating end of confrontation, there is always the risk of being misunderstood or worse, not having our viewpoint heard at all.

Confrontation is easily confused with intervention, and unfortunately, many problems arise from this. To clarify, one is mainly communication, while the other involves action. Both should be bathed in heartfelt prayers and carried out with an attitude of humility. Because confrontation is largely verbal in nature, it is important that we ask God to give us discernment about how to proceed in the conversation.

A gentle answer turns away wrath. Personally, I find this very difficult to remember. So often I jump right in with my defensive attitude before the other person can even say his piece. This only frustrates the other person, and immediately the tone of the conversation transitions from calm to terse. Before long, these terse responses may give way to a verbal spar as emotions run high and each of us fights tooth-and-nail to have the last word.

All too often I have unintentionally stirred up anger in another person. I have also allowed myself to be unnecessarily provoked to anger. I cannot control how other people react when I confront them, but I can control how I react when confronted by others. Even if the other person irate or insulting in some way, I must try to keep my temper. A solution can never be reached if all of my useful energy has been put into stoking my emotional flames.

Even in the midst of conflict and confrontation, God needs to be glorified. He knows each careless thought that zips through our brains in the heat of the moment, and He sees the intentions of our hearts. In all we do, whether in word or in deed, we need to remember that the world is watching us to see how we respond under pressure. By relying on the strength that comes from God, and asking for gentle words to come to us from the Holy Spirit, we are able to successfully navigate the stormy waters of confrontation.

Waiting for a Come-Uppance

Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.--Proverbs 11:21

As I observe the world around me, there are times when I am quite discouraged. Everywhere I look I see evidence of evil running rampant. The state of affairs of our fallen world is indeed a sad one. Not only are there glaringly obvious examples of the evil one at work, but there are subtle ones as well. Wickedness takes many forms. It is observed in the tragedy that occurs when teenagers gun one another down at school. Perhaps less horrifying (to some) but equally dangerous, are the instances of teens and pre-teens engaging in sexual experimentation because they have no moral compass or sense of propriety.

If I could, I would institute a program that would "fix" all these types of societal problems that threaten our comfort, safety, and well-being. Unfortunately, no such solution exists. The presence of sin and wickedness in the world is, and will continue to be, the normal state of things. God has given each of us free will. This means we all have the freedom to either live for Him or live for ourselves.

How are those of us who have chosen to live wholly for God supposed to keep from becoming discouraged by the woeful reality of our fallen world? We do this by maintaining an eternal perspective. Instead of focusing in on the wickedness and evil that displays itself at every turn throughout our days, we must focus on the bigger picture.

Even when it seems like wickedness is not being punished, we must keep in mind that one day, everything about the world we live in will come to an end. Ultimately, God will judge the actions of those who do not believe in Him and who have not accepted His gift of grace that comes through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. The wicked will not go unpunished. God is the final authority on what will and will not stand. Satan and his legions may rule for a time, but their days and circle of influence are severely limited. Evil's come-uppance is coming. God will uphold His righteous ones. Of that we can be certain, and that is what brings us hope in a fallen world.

For My Own Good

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. --Proverbs 3:1

Like most parents, mine had a number of house rules that my sister and I were expected to obey. I used to think this was because they were grownups and just wanted to be on a power trip. For a time I had no clue what the phrase "it's for your own good" really meant. More than just coming up with a set of rules, my parents raised me to make good decisions that stem from good character. The rules per se didn't make me who I am, but the underlying principles certainly shaped my attitude. Now that I'm older, I see the benefit of those rules and I appreciate the impact they made. All of the things that were "for my own good" have helped me become a good wife, a faithful Christian, and a hard worker.

As our heavenly parent, God has described to us a number of things that are for our own good. He communicates these to us through His Word. The underlying principles of His commands are there to shape us into faithful followers of Him. Not only that, but by being obedient to His commands, we will be looked upon in a favorable light by the rest of the world (see Prov. 3:4). It is for our own good that God tells us how we are to live. King Solomon knew this, and he took responsibility for passing that knowledge on to his son in Proverbs chapter 3.

Is following God easy? Hardly. Is obeying God fun? Not always--especially when there are things in this world that look very enticing. Sadly, too many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, think that the cost of obeying God is not worth it. They think that participating in what the world has to offer is far more gainful. They fail to see the potential physical, emotional or spiritual dangers that are the price paid for disobedience.

When we keep the Father's commands in our hearts, life is prolonged and we are blessed with prosperity. I think this can be interpreted on a physical and spiritual level. For example, by keeping ourselves free from sexual immorality we don't run the risk of contracting some incurable and devastating disease. This is one way that our life is prolonged. As a spiritual example, obeying God's command that we gather regularly with other believers is a way to be encouraged by the Body of Christ. This is one of the ways we are blessed in prosperity.

Because God is omniscient (all-knowing) I have no reason to doubt Him when He tells me that I need to obey His commands for my own good. It's difficult to remain obedient in this world, but I know that the lasting benefits are worthwhile. Even more appealing than a prolonged or prosperous life on earth is the promise of eternal life. I praise God for His righteous commands and his sovereignty. No matter what struggles I face here on earth, I have the hope that His plan for me is for my own good.

Powerful Purity

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. --Proverbs 31:10-11

When I was 14, I began a collection of letters written to my future husband. Most of them were just to let him know that I was praying for him even though I didn't know his name. If nothing else, they were a constant personal reminder that no matter who I dated in the time before God introduced us, I was committed to purity. Eight years later, I finally was able to write a name at the top of each letter instead of "Dear Future Husband". When we became engaged, I gave him the entire collection as a gift.

A friend of mine is a junior high teacher at a small Christian school. Last spring she was given the somewhat daunting task of conducting a "sexual education" series for her students. As I had been praying for God to give her the right words to say to those young ladies, I looked through some of the "Dear Future Husband" letters I had written to see what sort of things regarding purity impacted me the most before I was married. One letter in particular contained a Shakespearean sonnet.

Sonnet 52
So am I as rich whose blessed key
can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure
the which he will not ev'ry hour survey,
for the blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure.
Therefore are feasts so solemned so rare,
since seldom coming, in the long year set,
like stones of worth they thinly places are,
or captain jewels in the carcanet.
So is the time that keeps you as my chest,
or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hid,
to make some special instant special blest
by new unfolding his imprison'd pride.

Blessed are you, whose worthiness gives scope.
Being had, to triumph, being lacked, to hope.

The imagery of portions of that sonnet are quite similar to that in Song of Solomon as well as the description of the virtuous woman described by King Lemuel's mother in Proverbs 31. Clearly, Solomon and Shakespeare both regard modesty and purity as a beautiful thing. I hope the girls in my friend's class realize what a beautiful treasure they possess simply by being female. I pray that some day those girls will be appreciated and valued for the precious jewels that they are, and that they will come to understand that God values them on a level that doesn't even begin to compare to anything here on earth.

Purity is a powerful thing and it doesn't just mean waiting for marriage before starting up certain physical activities. Purity is an attitude that should be embodied by anyone seeking a spouse, and not just those in the giddiness of starting a dating relationship. A virtuous woman is indeed a treasure, but the man who finds her must be worthy of her.

The Measure of a Friend

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. --Proverbs 27:6

Tolerance seems to be the buzzword of the day. People walk on eggshells, afraid to call sin by its rightful name lest they be considered intolerant. Instead of admonishing one another in love, we turn a blind eye to things that are gravely amiss because we are afraid of hurting someone's feelings. This is cowardice. Furthermore, it is a misapplication of Matthew 7:1 which says "do not judge, or you too will be judged." As Christ's followers we are called to speak the truth in love whether it is amongst ourselves or our neighbors at large. The measure of a friend is not in how tolerant we are, but in our authenticity. To quote a line from the film Moulin Rouge, we need to be willing to "hurt [them] to save [them]."

Personally, I have experiences difficultly in finding the courage to wound someone in order to save them, especially when it is a person I am close to. I find it much easier to be bold about my faith and convictions around people who aren't Christians. Perhaps this is because I'm not risking anything when I do that. I'm not putting my ego on the line when I'm talking to people I don't know very well. For strangers to hate me because of my beliefs doesn't carry nearly the same weight as being hated by a family member or so-called friend.

Recently God put it on my heart to address a friend about what may have been a non-Biblical belief. Because this friend is a relatively new Christian, I was worried that I might alienate her with such a strong admonition. Because I value her as a friend, I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize the relationship. Swallowing my own fears, I wrote to her and explained my position. Imagine my relief when I read these words in her reply:

"...but I just appreciate you so much for getting the courage to confront me on a possibility of wrong beliefs!! You are the definition of a true friend, and I know that you will always look out for me."

Not everyone will respond in the way my friend did. When confronting sin, more often than not people will react negatively. They bristle at the suggestion that they are in any way doing something wrong or immoral. This type of response is the reality we need to expect and accept. I'm not suggesting that Christians should go around pointing out every little flaw in other people's lifestyles. Certainly we ourselves could never stand up to such scrutiny since we too are a far cry from perfection. However, in matters of salvation, as true friends we must be willing to hurt someone for their own good. We need to hurt them to save them, but lovingly and without arrogance.

Left Out on the Lawn: How Not to Be the Sharpest Tool in the Shed

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. --Proverbs 17:16

Being a science major at a top rated research university, I continually struggled to measure up to the academic challenges that presented themselves each quarter. Initially I believed that my self-discipline and excellent study habits would enable me to not only pass my classes, but earn high marks. This wasn't the reality. After receiving my first D since 8th grade algebra, I realized I needed to re-evaluate my course of action. I may have been big woman on campus in high school in terms of academic prowess, but college was a whole new ball of wax. I wasn't content to just squeak by with passing Ds.

Enter the parade of study groups, mock midterms at the Learning Center, one-on-one office hours with my professors, and a couple of inspirational tutors. If I was going to do well in the subjects that didn't come naturally to me, I was going to need every ounce of help I could get. Study habits alone weren't going to get me to graduation. I needed to spend time with people who knew what they were doing and could explain these subjects to me in a way that made sense. I went from being on academic probation my freshman year to earning an A in my toughest class my senior year.

I learned more than just chemistry, calculus and physics through that experience. I learned that attempting things on my own isn't always the best path to follow. This is true in many areas, including matters of faith. I don't have all the answers and probably never will. The thing is, I'm not content to stay where I am with my current body of knowledge or ability. If I desire to keep my mind and my faith sharp, then I need to spend time with the people who are already sharp.

A lot of Christians don't realize how important it is to spend time in fellowship with other Christians. They look at their lives and think that as long as they're living morally then that's all there is to it. The truth is there's much more to it than that. As time goes by without the constant sharpening by other Christians who can encourage us in our walk with God, then all that happens is we become rusty in our faith. Like a garden tool that's been left out on the lawn, we become vulnerable to the elements. Our once shiny plastic handles become faded and cracked from the sun, or worse, we get run over by the lawn mower and rendered completely useless.

Each of us is a lot less capable than we think we are. Because our natural tendency is to reject things of God, many aspects of the Christianity do not come naturally to us. This is why it is necessary to put ourselves in sharp company. What if Nicodemus hadn't sought out Jesus to have his questions answered? Each of us needs to expose ourselves to the right kind of influences by being in regular attendance with a body of believers. Doing so enables us to sharpen our own relationship with God by learning from the experiences of others. For us to be content to just "squeak by" in our relationship with God is not acceptable.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. --Proverbs 11:2-3

My car's tires are imprinted with a thought-provoking word as part of the manufacturer's logo. That word is "integrity." I'm assuming that it is used to convey the tire company's unspoken assurance that their product is of sound material, designed to endure mile after mile of commuting on California's highways. In a similar way, Christians should be people of integrity--able to survive the daily rigors of being in the world but not of it.

King Solomon says that the integrity of the upright guides them. In order to understand this idea, we need to understand exactly what is meant by the word integrity. Some sources define integrity in terms of morality. Is it our morality that guides us? Perhaps there is some truth to that, but morality is increasingly relativistic in application, especially in our American society. In my opinion, such wavering morality subjects us to the same destruction that the unfaithful experience as a result of their duplicity.

The Latin root of the word integrity is integer which means complete. With that in mind, perhaps a more fitting definition of the completeness that is requisite of integrity is found in the following: "an unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality." Similarly, the Biblical definition of integrity is most clearly depicted in the Old Testament book of Job.

Job was unwavering, unbroken in his integrity. He clung to God's promises despite the difficult circumstances and trials God allowed him to endure at the hands of Satan. Personally, I am amazed that Job never relented in his commitment to God. There was a time when I, under far less spiritual attack than Job, failed to exhibit the same sense of integrity in regard to my faith. Job's integrity guided him when it came to dealing with his trials. Even when his countenance was mournful, he remained upright in spirit. His relationship with God remained in tact when his world was literally crumbling around him. God gave Job the strength he needed to remain a man of unbroken completeness or totality.

When the rubber hits the road, integrity is not merely about being moral or honest. It's about holding unswervingly to the hope we profess in Christ. Our ability to remain unreduced or unbroken in a world that desperately want us to fold under pressure comes through living a life of integrity. God, our source of strength will never change. Because of Him we are able to people of integrity in a world of the unfaithful.