June 2024 – LookUp

Perfection: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

As we anticipate the celebration of another Independence Day weekend, we find ourselves at a time when there is a movement to fundamentally rewrite our history. Not long ago, America’s Founding Fathers were respected for who they were. Today, their imperfections are likely to be under attack from educators, politicians, and the media. An outcry has developed to remove many statues and monuments around the country that glorify Confederate generals, advocates for slavery, defenders of segregation and others whose racial views or conduct are now widely detested. It’s not only Confederate tributes that have come under attack but also those of Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson, to name a few. It has long been established that at least half of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were slave owners. Yet through the years, buildings and memorials have been dedicated to honor those who performed extraordinary feats, even though their character was less-than-perfect. The more we focus on the flaws, the less likely we are to recognize the virtues that can be learned from these lives.

These days ‘cancel culture revisionists’ seek to eliminate any remembrance of any person in history who was not perfect as defined by today’s standards. Absolute perfection is a quality that belongs to God alone. No matter how hard we try, we sin by our very nature and will always miss the mark. We commit sins of commission—doing that which we shouldn’t, as well as sins of omission—not doing that which we should. Except for Jesus Christ, every other person who has walked the face of the earth was flawed. God sees and knows our shortcomings, and that is why we need His undeserved gift of grace each day. Our relationship to God, therefore, is not based on our perfection but rather in that of His Son’s. Sinners need a Savior, and that’s why Jesus came. “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14 NIV). When we trust in Him, He will forgive our imperfections and iniquities. We can stop striving for an arbitrary, worldly perfection and rest in the One who is.

Followers of Christ should be encouraged to pursue perfection by maturing in their faith. “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:4 NLT). The concept of tearing down and building up is repeatedly demonstrated in the scriptures as a model for personal repentance. But when we seek to erase history, be it personal or that of our nation, we risk losing any remembrance of the foundation on which we were built placing us in danger of repeating the same mistakes over and over again. So regardless of how flawed our past may be, we do not want to lose sight of how far we have come. If it is perfection that we seek – better to hold onto the One who was perfect yesterday, is perfect today, and who will also be perfect tomorrow.

REFLECTION: What does our nation’s history mean to you? Why is it important that we continue to honor those who were flawed but rose to represent equal rights and justice? How do you show concern for actions that seek to erase Biblical history and destroy Christian values? How would you serve as a witness to others that it is God’s perfect love that continues to set you free?

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Pass/Fail

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 NLT)

A friend of mine once told me that during the final semester of her senior year of college, she took a course Pass/Fail. What this essentially meant for her was that if she got anything except an “F” for the course, she would get academic credit. This is advantageous in some cases because the grade you achieve does not affect your overall grade point average (GPA). About half-way through the semester, my friend came to the conclusion that there was a distinct possibility she might not pass the class. If she failed, she would not have enough academic credits to graduate. She decided to make an appointment to speak with the professor during his office hours. While presenting her dilemma to her instructor, she disclosed that she was taking the course pass/fail. The professor admitted that educators were not normally aware of students who elected to do so. However, he promised her that if she came to all of the classes and showed an honest effort to learn, he would make sure that she would not fail.

My friend’s story somewhat reminds me of a company for which I was once employed. Throughout the year, each business unit was required to rate their performance in several key categories as either adequate or inadequate. The basis for the rating was that each key category had defining factors which when evaluated helped to assess whether the various units were performing as they should. Many of us who used the system were frequently frustrated because the process was not always objective and often laborious. Additionally, it repeatedly did not bring about the desired performance results because the organization was either unwilling or unable to pledge the human and/or financial resources which might have improved the end-result. I sometimes wonder if our faith journey isn’t all that different; we know that we are not always achieving the desired standard and we aren’t always ready or willing to commit.

When it comes to evaluating our relationship with God, we can sometimes find ourselves making a comparison with others. Unfortunately, it can become far too easy to relate our sins to those around us, justifying that ours most likely is not as bad as theirs. Seeing sin on a sliding scale is not much different than an educator who grades on a curve. Grading on a curve essentially allows the other test takers to set the standard rather than the instructor who developed the test. It’s different in our spiritual journey. Jesus took the test on the cross and got a perfect score. The rest of us pale in comparison and pass only because of His grace. Paul provides this counsel: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT). The apostle knew that Jesus was the only one who could ever score a one hundred percent on God’s test. It was perfectly clear to him that on his own he could never receive the passing score required for eternal life. My friend had to be sincere about her course so that she would be able and free to graduate. When we trust in Christ, looking to him as our example, we too will find victory. Then and only then will we pass the test.

REFLECTION: When it comes to your walk with Christ, have you ever paused to wonder if you are making the grade? In doing so, what is the basis of your source for comparison? How can you work on letting go of the things of this world and move more toward those that count for eternity? Are there ways in which you might be helpful in also engaging others to follow by your example? How would you help them to understand that life is a test and that we either pass or we fail?

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I Just Wanted to Hear It Again

“And, ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)

We have an ongoing joke in our family. When someone says, “I love you” – the other Remember the commercial with an older gentleman and his adult son who appear to be doing woodworking. The son looks over at his father and affectionately says “I love you, Dad” to which the father replies, “What?” This happens a second time. The camera moves to the father who tells his story about how he has pulled away from others due to his hearing problem. But he refuses to spend what he considers to be a ridiculous amount of money for a hearing aid. Then he introduces an alternative at a much lower price. Eventually we see the two of them back in the shop assuming the father has his new hearing device in place. The scene repeats itself with the son saying to his father, “I love you, Dad” to which the father again replies “What?” Then he smiles, looks up at his son and says, “I heard you the first time. I just wanted to hear it again.”

As we celebrate another Father’s Day, we should take that opportunity to tell our earthly fathers that we love them. We can think it, gift it, feel it, demonstrate it and talk our way around it. But, bottom line, we need to say the words out loud. We shouldn’t wait another day, because we don’t know how long he might be around. Many have already lost their fathers, perhaps never knew them, or simply didn’t have a healthy connection with one. However, each of us has the opportunity to grow into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. You were created as an object of God’s love, and even those who turn from Him come to recognize that connection. “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8 NIV). That means that you were created for the purpose of having a relationship with Him and, as a result, the most important thing you can recognize in life is the assurance of His steadfast love. It is God’s wish for you to lean into Him just as a child was once were able to lean into a loving father’s arms. And even if you missed out on that, He is the perfect example of what a Father should be. He wants to be one in every aspect of our lives, if we will only let Him. God will never abandon us or leave us as orphans (John 14:18), He will be with us to guide, help, and protect us through whatever life brings our way.

The most loving thing we can do for others is love God more than we love them. For if we love God most, we will love others best. So what does a relationship with Him look like? Well, that is going to be different for each person. Just as our associations with people differ, each of us will have our own unique relationship with God because of our varied personalities. Remember that every relationship is based on trust, and that same principal applies to God (Psalm 84:12). The more you know Him and trust Him, the more intimate your relationship will be. He adores you. It would be a meaningful act of personal worship if you would simply tell Him that you love Him. If you do this, you can almost see His arms outstretched and a voice from heaven with those words of affirmation stating . . . “I just wanted to hear it again.”

REFLECTION: If you tell God that you love Him and desire to keep His commands but fail to spend time with Him, how might you expect Hm to feel? What do you know about God that makes Him the perfect father? How does knowing this affect your choices and your actions? In what ways do you think a daily verbal expression telling God that you love Him might begin to change your day?

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My Eyes Are Upon You

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” (Psalm 25:9 NIV)

Why can’t men ask for directions when they are lost? Why can’t they read an instructional manual when they don’t know how to do something? These are questions that have been asked by women for some time. However, as women have gained prominence in the workplace and power in positions of leadership, they are often guilty of not asking for help as well. Asking for directions is like admitting defeat. James, the half-brother of Jesus, gave us a powerful promise when he wrote, ” If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5 NIV). James would tell us that it’s perfectly okay to acknowledge that in those times when we don’t know what to do, we should ask God for wisdom and direction while believing that we will receive an answer.

An Irish evangelist was once speaking about how we should learn to test God in every trial and difficulty. To emphasize his point, he told those present that when they found themselves challenged by circumstances where they needed direction – they were to prompt themselves to say . . . “For this I have Jesus.” During his message, one young lady in attendance received word that her mother was quite ill and that she should take the train home immediately. She was challenged by her uneasiness and the lack of direction ahead. She had never experienced taking such a long journey alone. Then she remembered the words of the evangelist, as a feeling of peace and strength came over her. Weeks later, the evangelist received a letter from her thanking him for his humble, yet practical message. She had come to realize that no matter what difficulties she would face in life, there was understanding that finding direction would lie within one certain phrase – “For this I have Jesus.”

Someone once said that he who knows not and knows that he knows not is a wise man, but he who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Perhaps then, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was no fool. When a vast army had gathered against Jerusalem, and the king realized what he was up against – he knew where to turn for guidance. He uttered this prayer: “Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV). God’s Word gives us one example after another about persons who lacked direction.

There is certainly nothing wrong in admitting that the course we have been seeking is beyond our limited understanding. However, God knows what we should do, and He is always close by and available to us. We can’t expect that He will knock us over the head to get our attention, but He will respond to our simple cry of, “Lord, I need your help.” We can come to Him in prayer to seek wisdom and direction for both big and small decisions. Billy Graham once said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” The psalmist would tell us that we simply need to know where to look: “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts” (Psalm 119:2 NLT). God is loving and powerful, and He wants us to come to Him instead of trying to do things our own way. We must seek His will, even when it appears to be contrary to the path we had in mind. So when you find yourself fumbling through life, remember the phrase – “For this I have Jesus.” As you look Heavenward for your answer, do so with patience by simply letting God know . . . “My eyes are upon you.”

REFLECTION: When you ask God for help, are you truly looking for His direction or are you seeking confirmation of what you already believe to be true? Are you in need of an answer to a prayer that you have not yet prayed? What is holding you back from asking for His direction? Might you be fearful that the answer you will receive might be in conflict with your present beliefs and understanding?

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The Here and Now of God’s Presence

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
(Mark 4:40 NIV)

A siren-like alarm was sounding in a nearby room of our home. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was, and then it occurred to me that it might be the NOAA weather radio which had not activated for some time. The alarm stopped and was followed by the message that there would be a severe thunderstorm warning for the county in which we live, to be in effect for the upcoming hour. The alert continued to caution of heavy downpours and lightning including wind gusts up to 60 mph with quarter size hail, capable of causing damage to trees, vehicles, roofing and siding. I remember thinking to myself that I was glad I was at home with a basement to go to if necessary. Imagine being outside in this kind of storm with nowhere to take cover! But I knew by the bulletin that there would be an approximate beginning and ending time, giving assurance that this storm would soon pass.

When the disciples went out on a lake with Jesus, they no doubt had a very different feeling. “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped” (Mark 4:37 NIV). Scripture tells us that Jesus was sleeping. So, “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25-26 NLT). Although the text doesn’t say which apostles were with Christ on the boat, it’s probable that seasoned fishermen were aboard who would have been quite familiar with the ways of the sea. Yet, they were frightened, and apparently thought He would be able to do something. Even when Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples gave every indication that they still weren’t yet convinced He was God in the flesh. For they asked each other, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:25 NIV).

The imagery behind the story of Jesus calming the storm should bring great encouragement and hope for anyone facing any storm in life. But first, one must take stock of who they have in the boat with them. Frequently we will find names like despair, hopelessness, worry, uncertainty, depression, stressfulness, discontent, exhaustion, and disillusionment to be among those who take these troublesome journeys with us. We know of God and may, like the disciples, have a relationship with His Son Jesus. But just like those followers who were caught with Him in the storm, we cannot rely on the emotions of doubt. We must come to trust not only in the power but also in the presence of the One who can bring true peace to the unsettled circumstances around us. If Jesus was able to save the disciples, He will also rescue us from the unsettling disorders of life. For He is with us and will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). If He can still the turbulence of the sea with one word, He can calm our everyday upheavals as well. It is when we understand the ‘here and now of God’s presence’ that our storms will be perfected.

REFLECTION: What are the emotional factors that keep you from fully trusting God when you are facing various trials? Are you able to see Him as not only the God of power but also the God of presence? If you are unable to constantly sense His presence, what do you need to change in your life for this to happen?

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