May 2024 – LookUp

Music to God’s Ears

“For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5 NIV)

A friend of mine once told a story about her teenage son who years ago was planning a graduation party at their home for his high school classmates. In addition to the food and pool games, there would most likely be the presence of noise from the raucous crowd and loud music. In consideration for their elderly neighbor, the parents insisted that the teen drop by a few days prior to alert her as to what she might expect. In a half-hearted attempt to apologize for the anticipated would-be-commotion, there was a pause in the conversation. The usually congenial neighbor looked directly at the boy and said, “Just when did you say this party is going to be?” Slightly hesitant, the youth politely responded – “Saturday evening, starting around 8.” The lady, then into her nineties, got a twinkle in her eye, and responded – “Oh good. I’ll want to be sure to open the windows, so I can hear the music.” Relieved, the soon-to-be graduate learned a life-lesson that day and captured a beautiful memory of an older friend and neighbor. Having now passed, her epitaph might well read – “Enjoyed the music of life through her many years.”

Each year during the Memorial Day holiday, many will visit cemeteries. As they place flowers on the graves of remembered loved ones, they may notice an epitaph or two. For those who have developed an interest in tracing their ancestry, they too may find themselves led to the gravestones of their descendants in order to collect information. There they will find two dates: one for the date of birth and the other indicating a date of death. These are commonly separated by a dash. Regardless of how long the person lived, one has to wonder about the totality of the life represented by that simple dash. The beginning date and the ending date are not as important as how the years were spent in between. At times, epitaphs have a religious connotation containing frequently used passages of scripture. Examples include: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21 NLT), “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV), and “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NIV).

The once shepherd boy who was called to be King David became known as a man after God’s own heart. God testified as such (Acts 13:22). What a wonderful way to be remembered. Did you ever consider how your life might be summed up in just a few words? When someone dies, it often becomes apparent where their life priorities were. There are times when I read an obituary that I find out far more about a person than I really wanted to know. For the Christian, what a tribute it would be if serving Jesus had a place in those conversations. Like David, we must realize that we are placed here for a limited time in His service, not for personal pleasure. For, “when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep (Acts 13:36 NIV). There is nothing more inspirational that what is spoken about those who followed Jesus during their days here on earth. For those of us who remain, we have assurance that they are now celebrating eternal life with Him. And in the end, that has to simply be music to God’s ears.

REFLECTION: What do you think those who survive you would write as an epitaph representing your life? When you leave this walk of life – what kind of personal and permanent inspiration will you like to leave as a trail for others to follow? If you would be honest enough to examine your life and admit that you haven’t had the kind of positive influence that you would like to have, what steps might you begin to make in that direction?

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Looking for the Real You

“Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9 NLT)

Historically masks have been used for many purposes, and they are commonly worn by healthcare professionals. I am not sure I would recognize my dental hygienist without one. They are a familiar and vivid element in many traditional pageants, rituals, ceremonies, and festivals such as Halloween. In order that people wouldn’t recognize him, the legendary Zorro wore one over the upper half of his face. Theatrical masks play two roles – one for the wearer and one for the viewer. In Phantom of the Opera, the main character is forced to hide his face because of physical disfigurement while also symbolizing his vulnerability and the injustice from which he suffers. On the TV reality competition, The Masked Singer, celebrities performed while wearing head-to-toe costumes including face masks that conceal their identity from other contestants, panelists, and the viewing audience.

During health crises, people wear a facial covering because they are motivated by ethics or fear, having been told it symbolizes concern for others as well as a guard for their own well-being. In ancient cultures, masks were worn by those who wanted to disguise themselves from participation in acts of hedonism. These days, there are those who cover their face with a mask of happiness so that others do not see their loneliness. In current times, it is not unusual for us to become remarkably accustomed to wearing a mask of pretense. Even for those who know God, the ‘Good Christian Mask’ can play a prominent role in one’s life at times. Whatever the reason, God always knows and understands the person behind it. God sees through your mask, right down to the real you. He sees all the flaws, mistakes, and failures . . . yet He loves you completely and unconditionally. David understood this when he said, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” (Psalm 139:7 NLT). When it comes to our relationship with God – there is nowhere to escape His love, and no mask will hide us from Him.

Wearing a mask all the time can be harmful by preventing us from developing genuine relationships. Instead of building one another up and encouraging each other in the faith, we pretend that we are just fine as we hide behind our mask. It’s important to also understand that those flaws we attempt to cover also prevent us from experiencing intimacy with God. Rather than spending time trying to impress others as we mask our true self, we must try to pursue an honest relationship with Him and rely on His strength. By doing so, it becomes the work of the Spirit to remove the veil. The apostle Paul stated it this way: “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). Instead of striving for other people’s approval and praise, live to please God alone – no matter what others think of you. Remove that mask you are wearing and adapt to the world around you. Establish your identity on earth by shifting your focus on becoming a disciple of Jesus. Don’t hide behind a mask . . . know that Jesus would tell you He’s been looking to see the real you for some time!

REFLECTION: Do you ever try to make yourself look better than you sometimes are? What masks do you find yourself wearing in order to face the world? How does growing in Christ change us by allowing freedom to remove those masks that hinder an intimate, spiritual relationship with Him? In what ways can you help others come to the realization that what they are masking will be loved by God?

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Coping in Anxious Times

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25 NIV)

It takes something rather dramatic to bring a society together. Most certain – events like the Great Depression, as well as the attacks of Pearl Harbor and 9/11are good examples where there was, for the most part, an effort toward a spirit of unity. More frequently, however, are those times when we go through troubled times and deal with anxiety on a personal level. Some authorities state that anxiety has overtaken depression as the leading mental health problem in the United States. To be sure, life is not without uncertainties. Whether they come in the form of a major life transition, family issues, health scares, or financial trouble – anxiety usually results.

Anxiety has three main elements. The first is Insecurity, the feeling that something bad is going to happen. The truth is that bad things do happen, but seldom does the worst-case scenario we imagine ever play out. Then there is Helplessness: the idea that there is nothing I can do to change this. The reality is that there is almost always something you can do, even if it just is a small step in making a positive difference in your life today. Add to that Isolation: there is no one to help me. While anxiety for most folks is temporary and can be brought under control with some self-talk and intentional reaching out, it must be recognized that there are indeed those who suffer from true anxiety disorder. There are professionals and organizations who can help, some of which are able to be accessed directly from one’s home.

In his book, Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado presents an acronym for helping those of us who subscribe to faith in God and feel anxious at any given time. The abbreviated letters are remembered by the word CALM . . . the opposite of anxious, and just what we are seeking. Here is his advice: “Celebrate God’s goodness. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ (Philippians 4:4 NIV). How will you express your joy for God’s goodness today? Ask God for help. ‘Let your requests be made known to God’ (Philippians 4:6 ESV). If you don’t already keep a prayer journal, start one. Begin with today’s requests. Leave your concerns with Him. ‘Thank him for all he has done’ (Philippians 4:6 NLT). At bedtime review the concerns you left with God this morning. Thank him for relieving you of your anxious thoughts. Meditate on good things. ‘Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise’ (Philippians 4:8 NLT). Plan your day to include time alone with God.”

Do you have anxieties? The results may be costly, since anxiety drives our attention away from spiritual matters and drains our energy away from the important things of daily living. Scripture does not state specifically what causes anxiety, but in every case, it evidences itself as a crisis of faith. Throughout the Bible, almost all of the major players had the opportunity to experience anxiety. Each were confronted with a choice to be consumed by it or to relinquish it to God and recognize it to be part of His plan. Jesus asked His followers, “which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27 ESV). We must turn over whatever burdens us in exchange for the peace that only He can give. It takes humility to admit we can’t handle things ourselves, and it requires trust to allow God to work the situation according to His will. So, “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). If you will surrender your burdens to Him, there is only thing you have to lose is . . . you guess it, your anxiety.

REFLECTION: What situations are causing you to be anxious at this time? How might you make a conscious shift to focus on the blessings of today rather than on the worst-case scenario? Are there ways that you might be that person to lean on for someone you know going through an anxious time?

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Having Truly Seen and Heard

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5 NIV)

No doubt you have at one time or another been criticized for not listening. When you were a teenager – you were probably told when asked to look for something that you failed to see what was right in front of you. Even as adults we will sometimes overlook things, because we are preoccupied and not focused. We set ourselves up to be labeled as unthoughtful or inconsiderate. Along with the influence of the other senses, seeing and hearing combine to assist us in navigating through the world. Our personal history, however, shows that we are often led by misperceptions. Add to that the increasingly prevailing attitude that we are often expected to conform to what others believe, we are afforded little tolerance when we attempt to develop our own sense of individuality.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ time often acted with contempt. To contest their doctrines, Jesus gave indication that many of them were both spiritually deaf and blind. When asked by His disciples why He spoke to the people in parables, His answer was simply this: “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables. For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand” (Matthew 13:12-13 NLT). It’s as if He was saying: ‘Those who reject me are spiritually blind because they automatically cast-off any understanding of who I am. The truth sounds foolish to them, and if they hear it – they do not comprehend that it is God’s truth and therefore fail to take it to heart.’

Each of us has times in our life when we are blinded by and deafened to God’s truth because we have become subject to the deception that is in the world. The goal of the Great Deceiver (Satan) is to devour the weak who fall prey to temptation, fear, loneliness, worry, and depression. Jesus said: “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!” (Matthew 6:22-23 NLT). Every day our thoughts and concentrations are bombarded with rather dark ideas from print, electronic and social media, as well as those around us. It’s easy to be deceived, unless we take the opportunity to renew our mind. God wants us to listen more intently for His voice and also to see with greater clarity the blessings He has placed right in front of us, including His Word. When we do this, our light will shine for the world (Matthew 5:16) and those around us will know, without a doubt, that we have truly seen and heard.

REFLECTION: Are there ways you might consider changing some of the sources of what you daily see and hear to better reflect God’s Word and consistency with His character? How might you help others who are not thinking objectively based upon the sources for what they see and hear?

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