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Finding Courage in Community
July 3, 2023
by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

“So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.’” Numbers 27:5-7 (NIV)

Recently, I gathered with a group of women leaders in my city. These women head up nonprofits, work as teachers and administrators in local schools, run businesses, and lead in churches. Many of them were feeling run down and overwhelmed by needs in their circles of influence.  Maybe that describes you today: run down, overwhelmed, and ready to throw in the towel. No matter where we lead whether in our city, church, workplace or home we all reach a point where we’re not sure how to keep going. Loss, obstacles and opposition wear us down and wear us out.  The women leaders in my city were hungry for some encouragement in their various leadership roles. So I opened up my Bible to the book of Numbers and read a story about five sisters who were part of the nation of Israel: the daughters of Zelophehad.  These women in Numbers 27, who are called by name Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah (Numbers 27:1) walked a journey of grief. Their father died, and they were left without provision. Together they went to Moses and appealed to his compassion and subsequently the compassion of God.  They posed a respectful yet pointed question: “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son?” (Numbers 27:4a, NIV).

In essence, they asked for the rights to their father’s property, which is not something women were usually granted in this ancient context. Fathers gave their daughters a dowry or gift upon marriage, but daughters did not inherit property. Still, Moses heard their case and brought their request to God. I love God’s response:  “So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them’” (Numbers 27:5-7).

This story teaches us a lot about God’s heart for women. The word translated “case” here is mishpat in Hebrew, which can also mean “justice” and is used throughout the Bible. The women made a personal case for justice, which affected the entire community. The law was changed, and all women who were left without fathers and brothers would benefit (Numbers 27:8-11).

These women stepped out in community with courage. They serve as examples to all of us today. God gives us intelligence, agency and creativity to move in our respective spheres of influence. And because He goes with us and provides others to bolster our courage, we don’t have to do it alone.  Who can you link arms with to go with them courageously toward change?

Maybe God is calling you to go with your daughter by offering her wisdom and encouragement.  Maybe He’s calling you to lead your organization and go with your team in a new direction.  Maybe your husband needs you to go with him by praying over him.  Maybe you can go with your sister in Christ who is learning to rise up and voice her story.  Let’s pray about ways we can move forward in faith and community like the daughters of Zelophehad who changed history.

THOU SHALT NOT SKIM FLAVOR FROM THE HOLIDAYS

I hate this time of year. Not for its crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds. You can't pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday eating do's and don'ts. Eliminate second helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, they say. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say. Good grief. Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't think so. Isn't mine, either. A carrot was something you left for Rudolph.

I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if you follow them, you'll be fat and happy. So what if you don't make it to New Year's? Your pants won't fit anymore, anyway.

> About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

> If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

> As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

> Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college?

> Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

> If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.

> Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

> And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookie-less January is just around the corner!

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When You’re Tempted To Judge Her
June 22, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

Almost every day, I talk to people who are hurting for many different reasons.  When we’re in those places, one of the hardest parts is that we feel not only the pain of our hurtful situation but also the compounded hurt from others doing things that unknowingly add to our pain.  Assumptions are made.  Blame is assigned.  Labels are given.  Judgment is cast.  Whether we know someone is hurting or not, we can make a decision today: We will be people of gentleness, living out Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

Your co-worker?

Your friend?

The woman at Bible study who never seems to engage?

That stranger whose child is screaming in the grocery store?

The neighbor who always seems grumpy and complains about everyone on your street?

Maybe she’s processing some kind of pain you don’t know about. Or she’s trying to figure out something very complicated. Chances are that she is facing or has faced something challenging. How do I know that?

Because she is a human living in the same confusing, often chaotic, hard-to-understand world that breaks your heart and mine.  Instead of following our first reaction to label her based on what she is doing right now, let’s pray for her based on what she’s probably facing right now. And if possible, why not offer a rare voice of encouragement or an unexpected act of kindness?

We may not be able to help the whole world be a better place today. But why not help the ones God places right in front of us?

In my own life, there was a time when my heart hurt so deeply that not much helped. But I remember an ordinary day when one of my friends randomly dropped off dinner for me. She didn’t even ask to come inside. She just texted me that she left dinner on the front porch, allowing me to have my space while making sure I knew she was there for me.  I cried because I had just prayed for God to help me. And then my friend showed up. Even though the soup she made wasn’t the solution for what I was facing, I felt a lot less alone. And I felt seen by God.  You can love and help and pray for someone without knowing the full story. Help with an obvious small need. Make that phone call. Send that card you wish you would receive in the mail. Leave an encouraging comment on her social media. Stop by with her favorite coffee just to say hello. Pick a flower and place it where she can see something beautiful. I believe that when we suddenly find ourselves in the seat of suffering (and all of us will be there at some point), what we’ve modeled to others will often be returned back to us.  Judgment can end with us when gentleness flows through us. Together, let’s show someone a little less judgment and a lot more of Jesus today.

WHEN AND THEN

By Dave Veerman

When . . .
I gaze at the heavens
stars stretching night sky
my speck in the universe
wondering why

Then . .  .
Infinite, sovereign
eternal Creator
choosing, descending
lesser from greater

When  . . .
I look at my children
each miracle birth
once tiny, now grown
parent-sacrifice worth

Then . . .
Intricate embryo
in virgin mother
helpless infant, child
adolescent big brother

When . . .
I reflect on the journey
through life's twisting trail
love, pain, joy, sorrow
my humanity frail

Then . . .
Tempted, tried, tested
touching and teaching
with fierce opposition
broken lives reaching

When . . .
I know my rebellion
sin's profound cost
divine separation
accountable, lost

Then . . .
abandon, forsaken
nailed cross-tree
sin-bearer, the Savior
died there for me

John 1:1–5, 10-–14:

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world . . .

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

When . . .
I ponder the limits
time, space compressed
God incarnation
eternally blessed!

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When Envy Tempts, Follow Jesus
June 19, 2023
by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

“… what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22 (NIV)

“I finally got it! The big break I’ve been praying for at work!”

My friend’s voice was alight with excitement and I felt excited for her too.  Mostly.  But to my dismay, I also had some side feelings. Unwanted thoughts. Somewhere behind my genuine joy, a shadowy voice whispered, I’ve been praying for a breakthrough, too why hasn’t God said "yes" to me?

Why her and not me?

The moment those thoughts took shape, I felt a swift surge of shame: What’s wrong with me?

How could I think something so ugly?

Maybe you’ve been there, too watching someone else receive The Thing you’ve been praying for. Feeling happy for them but also wrestling with the infamous green-eyed monster, aka envy.  Envy is one of those complicated internal struggles that can make us feel an undue amount of shame. Alongside the envious thoughts, we hear the enemy’s cruel voice taunting, How dare you struggle with envy! You’re an unloving friend!  So before we tackle the envy, let’s dismantle the shame. When my thoughts drift toward envy, I find it helpful to remember the difference between temptation and sin. We all have in-the-moment, knee-jerk reactions. Our fleshly natures instinctively lean toward petty thoughts and selfish feelings. But simply having an envious thought pop into our heads is not sin it’s temptation.  Scripture describes temptation this way: “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15, NIV).

Sin takes time to grow in our hearts. Envious thoughts may contain the seed of potential sin, but if we don’t water them, they can’t grow. We all have envious thoughts it’s what we do with those thoughts that matters. God gives us the power to choose: Will we follow envy’s lead, or will we follow Jesus?

Jesus once had a conversation with His disciple Peter that resets my perspective whenever I’m tempted with envy. Jesus was preparing Peter for his future, hinting that Peter would one day be martyred (John 21:18-19). Peter, perhaps feeling that he was being unfairly singled out for suffering, pointed at another disciple and asked, “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21, NIV). 

Jesus then told Peter, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22).

Jesus’ bluntness here always surprises me, as I imagine it surprised Peter. And yet the Lord wasn’t being unkind; He was being truthful. Jesus was reminding Peter that He has different purposes and paths for each person.  The next time you’re tempted with envy, try borrowing Jesus’ logic and gently asking yourself, If God wants her to have that blessing, what is that to me? In other words, If God wants her to walk a different path from mine, how does that change my calling?

Each of us experiences unique detours and obstacles, burdens and blessings. When someone else receives something we don’t have yet, they aren’t taking our blessing they are simply walking God’s path for them. Embracing this perspective helps us to sincerely rejoice with others instead of thinking, Why not me?

We may never know why our paths differ, but we can trust that we are all being shepherded by God, whose love for us is “as high as the heavens” (Psalm 103:11, NIV).

Jesus concluded His talk with Peter by saying, “You must follow me” (John 21:22).

Our paths are all different, but our calling is the same: No matter where Jesus leads us, we must follow. Why?

Because Jesus knows the way.  When we encounter disappointment or delay Jesus knows the way.  When our paths take unexpected or unwanted turns Jesus knows the way.  When we need help battling temptation Jesus knows the way.  Best of all, when we follow Jesus, we are never alone. He walks in front of us He walks with us every step of the way.