Let God Restore His Image in You  

Many of us have watched with great interest and with sad hearts the news of the recent devastating wildfires in Maui. Such tragic loss of life and property is always grievous. However, it seems even more lamentable due to the location of this particular calamity. It occurred not only at a prime tourist area and famous vacation spot, but also in a beautiful area that many view as being a sort of paradise. It is disheartening to see the destructive effects of the fire on what had been such a picturesque landscape. Hopefully we are all continuing to pray for and support the victims of this catastrophe.

The Bible reminds us of another time when paradise was tragically lost. The effects of that event have been even more devasting and long-lasting. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, they lost much more than the opportunity to live in a beautiful, peaceful Utopia. They lost their right relationship with God and part of His image in which they had been created. They gained a selfish, sinful nature along with its consequences, while losing the innocence, purity, and holiness that they were meant to possess. And it didn’t stop with them. This wildfire that originated with their sin has spread throughout the ages of history, being passed along to every subsequent generation.  

Thankfully, God has made a way for us to survive the awful effects of this event. He loved us so much that He sent His Son into this fallen world to be our Savior. We can find forgiveness and life through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. We can have a restored relationship with our Creator. We can be saved from the fires of hell and be assured of a heavenly home, a new paradise.

 However, God’s provision for us doesn’t stop there. Too many of us are ready to receive what is needed to survive the tragic fall of mankind, but we fail to pursue the opportunity to rebuild what has been lost. We may not gain everything Adam lost at Eden, but we can have more of that image of God restored in us than we might think. God can not only forgive us of our sins, but He can cleanse us to make us a holy people. He can so work in our lives that we can become less selfish and more loving toward God and others. He can so cleanse us that we become less sinful and more in line with the “pure in heart” whom Jesus said are blessed and will see God (Matthew 5;8). Let’s not just allow God to help us survive the fire, but to rebuild His holy image in our hearts and lives.

We are grateful for the people who made it through the fires in Maui alive. Nevertheless, wouldn’t it be even more wonderful if those folks are able to rebuild and restore much of what those fires took away from them. They likely will not be satisfied to leave their area as a burned-out, barren landscape. They will hope to rebuild and revitalize it.

Similarly, let’s not be satisfied with lives that simply live under bondage to sin and its corruption while we wait for our heavenly paradise. We can begin to experience some heaven on earth right now. We can have some of that lost image restored and rebuilt in us. We can become more holy people. “Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).  

 

Those Little Deeds Can Matter  

Recently my five-year-old grandson was asked about what his favorite outdoor activities are. One might expect him to think about such doings as swimming, riding his bike, or playing ball. However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that his first response to that inquiry was that he enjoyed coming over to our house and going for walks through our neighborhood with me. How sweet! You know that did good to this Papaw’s heart. Nevertheless, I still would not have expected that answer. I had gotten some indication that this grandson liked those little outings, but I wouldn’t have guessed that they would be one of the first items on his list of favorites. Those walks didn’t seem to be all that special or memorable, and certainly not spectacular. They have often consisted of simply walking along, watching the squirrels, stomping on fallen pine cones to make them crunch, finding a bird feather, and random small talk. I enjoy those times but had no idea my grandson valued them too.

It isn’t always the “big” things we do that matter most to other people or to God. Sometimes those seemingly small and insignificant actions can be more meaningful and valued. Think about the time when Jesus was watching various people who were contributing their gifts for an offering. He saw some individuals donating large amounts that no doubt would have been very helpful for the cause. However, Jesus singled out a widow who only gave two small coins. Everyone else looking on would have probably thought her gift was insignificant in comparison to what others were giving. But Jesus placed more value on her sacrificial donation, saying that she had contributed more than anyone else because out of her poverty she had given all that she had.  

On other occasions when Jesus spoke about the actions for which people will one day be judged, He spoke about such deeds as giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty, providing some food for the hungry, and visiting someone who is sick or in prison. He didn’t refer to occasions where we might get to share God’s Word or our testimony before thousands of people, or to our inspirational video that received thousands of views and likes on social media. No, He pointed to the small acts of everyday kindness we can show to others.

I am not suggesting that the big events don’t matter. They certainly can. Much good can be accomplished through the giving of big donations and the efforts of large groups with greater resources to reach people with the gospel and to help those in need. However, let’s not overlook or downplay the little, commonplace opportunities we are given to impact others and to serve the Lord. Let’s not get so focused on the occasional huge event, that we miss those everyday chances to be light in the darkness, to show God’s love, and to plant a seed of truth. A visit, a card, a thank you, a kind word, the proverbial cup of cold water, or even a walk through the neighborhood may mean more to that other person that some expensive gift or extravagant act.

Whether dealing with our grandchildren, our neighbor, or a complete stranger, let’s not overlook the value of the little things we can do. It may not seem like much, but it can be meaningful to other people. Additionally, it can get the favorable attention of Jesus. After all, He suggested that when we do those little kindnesses for others, it is like we are doing them for Him.

So let’s go do some little thing for Jesus today. It may mean more to someone, and to Him, than we realize.  

 

Facing the Fiery Furnaces of Life  

Most of you are probably familiar with the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were the three Jewish men who were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to obey King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to bow down and worship a golden image. Over the past week or two I have noticed a social media post that has been circulating which references this incident. It actually has to do with the extremely hot weather many have been experiencing this summer. The post reads, “It’s so hot, I just walked outside and ran into Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” Yes, I suppose it has felt like an oven or furnace in some places recently.

This account from the book of Daniel reminds us of some important truths we all need to keep in mind when we find ourselves facing the fires of life as we try to faithfully follow the Lord. For one thing, we know that the same God who miraculously delivered those three men from the wrath of a king and his death sentence can still deliver us as we face challenges, difficulties, and opposition to our faith. God is bigger than our enemies and is more powerful than anything that gets thrown at us or anything we might get thrown into. God is able to deliver us.

However, this account should also inspire us to trust God regardless of whether He saves us from the fire or not. That was the attitude of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They basically told the king, “We believe God can deliver us, but if He chooses not to do so, it doesn’t change anything. We will still trust Him, serve Him, and refuse to bow down to your image.” We should have a similar spirit and commitment. It would be wonderful if God would miraculously change our circumstances or change the hearts of our enemies and bring us out of this difficult situation. However, if for some reason He doesn’t do that, we should still be committed to trusting Him and following Him. We can have confidence in His great wisdom and love – that He knows exactly what He is doing and what is best for us. Our love and loyalty to God shouldn’t be based on His delivering us out of our fiery furnace. Trust Him no matter what.

One of the most comforting truths to come out of this account is the fact that God will be with us in our fires. When Nebuchadnezzar looked into that furnace in which he had thrown the three men, he not only was amazed to see them alive and walking around, but he also saw a fourth person in the fire with them. This other individual was so different that the king commented that his appearance was like the Son of God. Whether this was an angel or some pre-New Testament appearance of Christ, there was a divine presence there in the midst of that fire. God was with His faithful followers. And I believe He will still be with us today. Whatever fires we may have to face, we don’t have to deal with them alone. God will be with us – whether to deliver us, or to give us strength to endure it, or in some cases to meet us to take us home to be with Him. Whatever the situation, God will be right there in the fire with His people.

So when you find yourself in the furnace, remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Keep trusting the Lord with the assurance that He is going to be with you either to deliver you from the fire or to see you through it.  

 

Keep Learning from Jesus  

It is that time of the year for students and teachers to return to school. However, we should keep in mind that there isn’t solely one season of the year or even one season of life in which we focus on learning. It is an ongoing process for all of us. Recently I have been working on a new skill. After many years of pounding computer keyboards (and before that, typewriters) with my one or two finger rapid-fire method of typing, I have been going through some free on-line lessons to learn how to touch-type. I am glad to report that it is actually coming along quite well. I have become very familiar with which fingers to use for which keys and usually hit the correct ones. I haven’t totally forsaken my old ways yet, but I am slowly using this new skill more often as I get more comfortable with it and can do it more rapidly. Who says that “old dogs can’t learn new tricks”?

We should continue to learn and grow throughout our whole lives, including in the area of our spiritual lives and our relationship with the Lord. It can be easy to slip into an attitude of complacency – to slow down or stop altogether in seeking to know more about the Lord and His will for us or to quit moving forward in our spiritual growth.

In one of His more familiar declarations, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). When we think of this passage, we tend to focus on the idea of Jesus helping carry our load and giving us rest. But be sure to notice something else Jesus says here – “learn from Me.” We are yoked with Jesus, like two oxen joined together, not just so He can relieve us of our burdens, but also so we can be with Him and learn from Him.

We aren’t just called to be believers in Jesus, those who put their trust in Him and in His sacrificial death as the means of our forgiveness and cleansing of sin. We are called to become disciples. Disciples are not only followers but students. Just as Jesus’ disciples spent time with Him and learned from Him, we are meant to keep learning from Jesus as we journey with Him through life. I am not just referring to learning more facts about Jesus, although an increase in such knowledge is included. Primarily, we need to know Jesus more personally through our daily experience of walking with Him. We may memorize Bible verses about faith, but we also need to learn about exercising faith by going through trials and facing challenges with Jesus yoked to us and showing us the way. We can read the wonderful description of love in I Corinthians 13 every day, but we also learn by letting Jesus teach us how to put it into practice as we encounter people around us who need to be shown the love of God.  

There is so much we have yet to learn about being like Jesus and becoming the disciples He has called us to be. Don’t stop learning and growing. Whether we are starting back to school or if those years are long behind us, we should all be seeking to be better students of our Lord. Take His yoke upon you – not just so He can give you rest, but so that you can be right there with Him, watching Him, leaning on Him, and learning from Him.