by MeredithNMills | Jun 24, 2015 | Uncategorized
It’s not enough to simply “not hate.” Racial reconciliation is going to take more than that.
Dylaan Roof claims he attempted to start a “race war.” But his shooting rampage in Charleston last Wednesday night set off a much different response. It has inspired a movement against hatred, spread not with human weapons, but with supernatural love.
“A lot of people expected us to do something strange and break out in a riot. Well, they just don’t know us. We are people of faith,” said Rev. Goff, interim pastor of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston (USA Today news report on Sunday, June 21, 2015).
A people of faith. Faith prompted the victims to welcome Dylaan into their prayer circle Wednesday night. Faith enabled their families to extend forgiveness as they looked into his unmoved eyes on a monitor at the bail hearing. Faith gives them hope for the future as they walk through the agony of the present.
Faith inspires supernatural love. We can love because we are loved by God. We can forgive because we have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus. This is what the victims’ families in Charleston modeled to a watching nation.
We are all, every human being, made in the image of God (Gen 1:27). We’re all descendants of the first human couple (Gen 3:20). We are all under the curse of sin (Rom 3:23). We’re all greatly loved by God (John 3:16). He is redeeming as His own those from every tribe, tongue, people and nation (Rev 5:9). In the eyes of our Creator, all men and women are deeply loved and are created equal.
There are really only two kinds of people in this world.
There are those without saving faith in Jesus – we’re commissioned to share His good news of salvation with them in love (Mk 16:15). And there are our brothers and sisters in Christ – fellow believers from all different nations, different cultures, different skin colors. Love is to characterize His family. In fact, Jesus said that the world will know we are His by our love for one another (Jn 13:34-35).
So there really is no room for hatred. Not for those outside God’s family. Not for our brothers and sisters in God’s family. Only supernatural love will overcome the evils of racial prejudice.
Supernatural love is an active love. It’s not just choosing not to hate. It goes beyond that into actively welcoming others into our lives – those like us, those different than us.
This love involves seeing others through the eyes of Christ and investing time, energy and compassion into their lives. It embraces humility, realizing that my own life is enriched by experiencing other cultures and by learning from the people around me.
Faith is the foundation for supernatural love. Faith in the Word of God is the basis for how we interact with others. Faith in the love of God is the motivation for how we live our lives. Faith in the promises of God is the hope for enduring pain and choosing love.
As Christians, we know that this world is not our home. Heaven is. One day we will take up residence there in the presence of Jesus with no more tears, no more hate, no more violence, no more racial prejudice.
As Christians, our primary identity is not our nationality or race or denomination. We are members of the household of faith – a family that spans the globe and reaches through time.
As Christians, we have a purpose to fulfill during our time here. We are called to show God to the world by living out His sacrificial love (1 John 4:12).
So let us join with our brothers and sisters in Charleston and choose love. Let us be tools in the hand of God to bring good out of this evil. And may many come to faith in Christ as they see our unity and love for one another.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” Gen 50:20.
How do you express the love of God in your daily life? In what ways have you been enriched by opening your heart to learn from others?
by MeredithNMills | Jun 10, 2015 | Uncategorized
Do you ever feel like a plastic cup in a garbage truck?
You know, those days when the pressures and demands of daily life are so overwhelming you feel like you will be crushed by them? Like you just want to run away? Or go back to bed and then try to start the day over? Well, today was one of those days.
It’s a bit crazy over here.
Our dishwasher stopped working a few weeks ago. Not an essential appliance. But such a handy one. Then our washing machine broke. A bit more important. So this weekend we replaced them both. We found some good deals on Craigslist, but later realized they needed a bit of work before they were really “good deals.”
Yesterday I went to do my first load of laundry in the new washing machine. Why on earth does this front-load washing machine stink, I wondered? And what’s that black stuff I hadn’t noticed before...yep, mildew. Not cool. After a few cycles of bleach water, still no improvement. This may take a while to get clean.
Then last night, as hubby was installing the new dishwasher, he realized it needed a different supply line. And…the stores were closing in five minutes. That’s okay, I thought, staying calm. The water was turned off to the house, thanks to a defective shut-off valve spewing water all over the kitchen. But we don’t really need water through the night.
Everything’s fine. This is an adventure we will laugh about later.
So this morning, we faced the day with two dishwashers laying sideways on the dirty kitchen floor, a smelly washing machine and lots of nasty towels. Sweet hubby got up at 5:30 am to be at Lowes when they opened. He got the supply line, came home and installed the new dishwasher. (I love having a handy husband!)
Then the toilet, the one we couldn’t flush through the night, that toilet – it overflowed. And I was still trying to figure out how to clean the washing machine so I could wash all these dirty towels. Guess we’ll be going to the laundromat today. And the kids will just have to use yesterday’s towels for swimming lessons.
Oh, and did I mention that I thought yesterday would be a good day to start stripping wallpaper from the dining room wall? Of course, it’s not coming down without a fight. We are switching rooms up over here, a move that involves five different spaces. But before it can be completed, the dining room wallpaper must come down and the walls must be painted. So on top of the appliances adventure, furniture is out of place and clutter is winning the battle for order.
So, it was just one of those days…when I feel like a plastic cup being crushed in a garbage truck.
One of those days when I need God to be my refuge.
“O Lord my God, in You do I take refuge…” (Ps 7:1a). I read that verse a few days ago, and pondered the idea of “taking refuge.” It means to flee, to trust, to hope in. It involves “precipitate action.”* Google defines precipitate as, “acting suddenly or without careful consideration.”
I like that. Because on days like today, I don’t have any eloquent prayers or well-planned petitions. I just need help – suddenly, quickly, right now. I need more strength than I have. I need a guard over my tongue so I don’t hurt my little people who aren’t responsible for the craziness. I need Jesus – I need Him to produce His fruit in me (Gal 5:22-23). I certainly can’t produce it myself.
“…In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” (Is 30:15).
Quiet confidence. Settle that in my heart today, Lord.
Life is chaotic. But You are undisturbed. I am uptight and stressed out. But You are my unchanging God of peace. Carry me through the craziness, and let Your love control my words and actions. Let the people around me see a very active, very present God alive in me. One who cares about the details of life and gives strength in weakness. Make this mess beautiful, Lord.
How have you seen God be your refuge? What do you do when you feel like a plastic cup in a garbage truck?
*Lexical Aids to the Old Testament, Key Word Study Bible
by MeredithNMills | Jun 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
The perfect girl is gone, and everyone knows it. Now what?
It’s awful when your babies are sick. Last week, my little one had an ear infection and a fever of 104.7. We did lots of cuddling, cool rags on the head, Tylenol and Motrin, and texting with the doctor.
And watching movies.
Having two daughters, we naturally like princess movies. (My poor boy puts up with them!) Usually they are just fun fairy tales with little value beyond entertainment. Disney’s Frozen, however, seems to be an exception. This tale of two sisters has some pretty incredible spiritual gems hidden inside. Will you come on a treasure hunt with me?
Big sister Elsa is a very unique girl. She has the ability to freeze things. The trouble is, fear has frozen her own heart. Early in life she retreats into a “good girl” shell where no one really knows her – not the real Elsa. She has mastered the art of disguise, steeling herself from even her own emotions. Fear blinds her and keeps her from knowing love. But when a turn of events reveals her secret, she “lets it all go” – that good girl facade, all the pretending, the life of playing it safe. She runs to the mountains, trading in one form of isolation for another. Finally, she thinks, I’ve conquered my fear!
She throws off restraint and sets out to discover what she’s capable of achieving. She revels in self-expression and vows never to return to her old life. So this is freedom.
Her freedom is short-lived, however. She finds that looking within for security and fulfillment is just as devastating as hiding.
By the end of the movie, Elsa learns that only one thing can overcome fear and melt an icy heart – true love. Her sister Anna lays down her life for Elsa out of love. That love melts Elsa’s heart and from that moment forward, Elsa is compelled by love rather than driven by fear.
This story resonates with me. I know the good girl life. I know what it’s like to be driven by fear. Fear of displeasing people. Fear of disappointing God. Fear of failure. It’s exhausting. My identity, like Elsa’s, was was fragile – built on performance and the shifting tides of emotion. But also like Elsa, my heart was melted by an act of true love.
Jesus laid down His life for us – we who had broken His heart and were the source of His pain. By that act of true love, we can have forgiveness, freedom from fear and new life through faith in Jesus (Rom 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-13, John 3:16,). Once we realize how deeply and unconditionally we are loved, we have an unshakeable foundation for inner peace and security.
There is no need to pretend. No need to hide. No need to impress.
It’s okay for people to see our weaknesses because that’s where God’s loving power takes the spotlight. We are free to love others as an overflow of God’s love for us. When our needs are met in Jesus, we find freedom in our relationships because we are no longer looking to others to fulfill or validate us.
You, child of God, are loved.
Let it go – all the pretending, all the wrestling, all the fear, all the searching for fulfillment. You are loved! Rest in His love…relentless, unchanging, satisfying, empowering. You are free to love God and others from the overflow, even if your love is not returned by the people around you. God’s love for you is secure. Let it lead you.
How does love enable you to “let it go?”
by MeredithNMills | Jun 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
I really want you to like me.
I want you to see the cool, admirable things about me. The “Facebook” me. My strengths, my talents, my accomplishments. But the other stuff, the not-so-cool things about me, I’d rather leave those in the shadows. I’d prefer that you think of me as strong, confident and capable. But, if I’m honest, I have to admit that the real me isn’t like that most of the time.
I guess it’s human nature to hide the worst and put up a good front.
But Paul took a different approach. He said, “If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weakness” (2 Cor 11:30). What? He had so many things going for him. His life was a long series of accomplishments most Hebrew men would brag about. Why then did Paul gladly boast in his weaknesses (2 Cor 12:5)?
He had tasted of the supremely satisfying grace of Jesus.
After repeatedly praying for relief from a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7-8), Paul experienced God’s gracious strength in his weakness. And that grace was enough. It was far more satisfying than his own strength had ever been. God’s grace came out in dazzling splendor against the backdrop of Paul’s weakness. He experienced the unfailing strength of grace and his heart was satisfied.
Where Paul’s strength was lacking, Jesus’ strength was full and complete. And Paul never wanted to go back to life in his own power. From that encounter forward, Paul wanted Jesus’ power to “set up camp” in his life. He took pleasure in – he literally thought it was good and even preferred – his weaknesses over his strengths. Why? Because “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10).
Paul learned to value the eternal more than the temporary. He learned to follow Jesus. Jesus was crucified in weakness, but raised, and even now lives, by the power of God (2 Cor 13:4). Paul based his ministry on the cross of Christ, not eloquence of speech, lest the cross be emptied of its power (1 Cor 1:17). He proclaimed God’s message through his own weakness so that the only One who shone was the only One who deserves to shine – the dazzling Son of God.
I have tasted of that grace, too. And yes, it is supremely satisfying. So I am learning to glory in my weakness, for it is there that Christ’s strength is most visible, and His grace is most fulfilling.
In what areas of weakness have you seen the powerful grace of God displayed? How has His grace met your needs?
by MeredithNMills | May 26, 2015 | rest, Uncategorized
Driven by duty, or led by love? It makes a difference.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30.
Am I the only one who has had a problem with those verses? The Christian life as rest – what? An easy yoke and a light burden? Experience told me otherwise.
Until recently.
Until life crumbled and weakness won out. Until I could no longer keep up with the “good girl” life. Until everything I believed came unraveled. (To read about my journey, click here.)
In that place of weakness, with crumbled faith and nothing to offer God, I experienced rest. The God of rest came to me and picked me up. He gathered me in His arms and carried me close to His heart (see Isaiah 40:11). And there, near His heart, I began to learn from Him. And I found rest for my soul.
I had spent my life driven to do. Do more. Do better. Just keep doing. He deserves my best, after all. But the doing was never enough because I knew that Jesus had said heart motives were just as important as actions (see Matt 5:20-22, 27-28). I could never measure up. How could this possibly be rest?
But I learned, there near His heart, that God does not drive His children to do. We are not cattle prodded along a path, a destination to be reached by morning. Instead, He leads us as a shepherd leads his sheep (Ps 23). The shepherd guides them beside still waters. He gives them green pastures in which to rest.
In fact, the Hebrew word here for lead carries the connotation of guiding to a place of rest and refreshment. It means to lead with care. In Exodus 15:13, we read, “In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.” He leads us with unfailing love. And did you catch where He is guiding us? To His “dwelling.” To His presence. Into deeper intimacy and friendship. He is not trying to get us somewhere. He is bringing us near. That’s where He is leading us. Closer.
Our Shepherd has a loving relationship with His sheep. He knows each of us by name. And the sheep know and trust His voice (John 10:3-18), because we walk with Him. The picture is one of sweet companionship.
In the opening passage from Matthew, Jesus uses another word picture to describe our relationship with Him. He invites us into His “yoke.” He shares our burdens with us. He’s not the farmer driving the oxen. He’s in the yoke working with us. We find rest as we learn from Him. As we keep in step with Him.
This Christian life is not lived for Him. It’s lived by Him – He leads; we follow (John 10:3-5). He empowers; we walk in victory (Col 1:11, Rom 8:37). He works in us; our lives please Him (Phil 2:13). Our job is to rest – in who He is and what He has done for us. Our work is abide in Him and let Him bear fruit through us (John 15:4-5).
What does resting in Jesus look like in your life? Any practical tips for resting when life is anything but restful? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
by MeredithNMills | May 17, 2015 | Uncategorized
Today was a rare occasion – I was silent for most of the day.
I can’t remember the last time I sat in quiet meditation as I soaked in my surroundings. I had forgotten how much the soul needs silence. The noise of daily life, it gets so deafening. Oh, how we need to make room for rest!
I’m in the mountains, sitting in a prayer garden right now – a meandering stream bubbling behind me, birds chirping out their Creator’s praise from the trees, a light breeze tickling the leaves above me. It’s beautiful. Cool and fresh and revitalizing. Not so hard to be silent here.
Do you ever feel like you’re not…enough? There’s not enough you to accomplish all that should be done? You haven’t done enough? You aren’t good enough? You just don’t measure up?
I do. I think I carry that sense, that label I’ve given myself, everywhere I go. It’s always there, subtle and often unrecognizable, but constant nonetheless. Even now, as I’m coming out of perfectionism and into a deeper realization of grace, it’s still there.
Today as I’ve sat in silence, worshipped without speaking, and communed with God in my heart, I have heard His still small voice.
He reminded me that I don’t have to be enough. I am loved. Infinitely loved. Passionately loved. Emotionally loved. Unconditionally loved. Relentlessly loved. Joyfully loved. Graciously loved. I am fully accepted by God on the grounds of Jesus’ righteousness. He is enough. I am in Him, and that is enough.
He needs nothing from me. Or you. Does that strike a blow to pride, or what! He doesn’t need my worship, as if He were insecurely egocentrical. He doesn’t need my service, as if He were incompetent on His own. He doesn’t need my witness, as if He doesn’t testify of Himself contstantly through His Word and in all of creation. He doesn’t need me to be better, as if I could improve myself for Him. He doesn’t need my fellowship, as if He were not fully satisfied within His Triune Self. He doesn’t need me.
Oh, but He wants me. And He wants you. Not for what we can do for Him, but “that He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
He wants to make examples of us – examples of people who are recipients of unheard of grace.
He wants to relate to us – that is the crux of Christianity, after all. Not doing, but relating. All our doing should be a mere overflow of our relating to Him. Walking with Him, communing with Him, responding to Him. That is genuine Christianity.
I found this prayer garden while on a walk with God this afternoon.
I had thought maybe God would say something profound, something new, during my alone time with Him. But He didn’t. He just reminded me that sometimes I don’t need something more or something new. I just need to be near Him. Walking in silence, aware of His presence, seeing His grace reflected everywhere around me – that is good.
He is not concerned about productivity. He is involved in transformation. And that takes place in His presence – during cultivated, set aside time with Him, and in walking through the dailyness of life with Him. Transforming Christianity is all about Jesus – by Him, for Him, through Him and to Him.
How do you make room for silence in your “everydayness”? What whisperings of God’s Spirit have you heard in times of quiet with Him?
