According to the scientific community life evolves. As environments or habitats change, creatures and human beings are forced to adapt if they want to survive. The same can be said about worldviews. When truth is conveyed, realized or revealed, belief systems are put to the test. This is the threat of faith.
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us, Acts 6:14.
People will always go through periods of change. Whether its puberty, relationships or unforeseen trials, each day provides a series of surprises. Through the good and bad, hearts rejoice and grieve, while emotions rise and fall. Yet, when what you have always known is challenged, faith and doubt collide.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ, Romans 10:17.
Through the years, time can take a toll on wounded souls. In the case of the Jews, religious leaders thought the Jesus movement would destroy Judaism. Thus, this threat elevated tensions, fueling resentment against Christianity. As more and more individuals believed and were baptized, faith became a threat. Nonetheless, when souls hear or read the words of the Bible, faith becomes a friend in Jesus.
Fifty years ago, most families consisted of a husband, wife and children. In those days, moms stayed at home, taking care of the kids while the father was usually the main bread winner. Over the last half century, this sight is rare, like a species of animals on the verge of extinction. Subsequently, adults are now working nights, weekends or two jobs just to keep up with their monthly bills. The idea of resting in hope is a fantasy for many tired souls.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, Acts 2:26.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was filled with peace. Looking back on the last few months, the hand of God on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection began to make sense. This clarity boosted the spirits of the disciples. Despite Jesus’ absence following his ascension into heaven, a metamorphosis was ongoing in the hearts and minds of God’s people. Peter attributes this reformation due to resting in hope.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all, 2 Thessalonians 3:16.
Stress has an opposite effect on individuals, leading to restless nights. A by product of stress, worry induces doubt, causing minds to wonder if things will ever improve. This is where I am from time to time, struggling to remain optimistic. Nonetheless, when I reach low points in life, I am reminded of the promises in the Bible. The more I hear and read these words, I begin to rest in hope.
As the 2014 Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 7th in Sochi, Russia, I am reminded of the drama previous events have delivered. Whether it’s a human interest story, someone rising to the challenge of stiff competition or the 1980 United States Hockey Team who came out of no where to defeat the U.S.S.R. and earn a gold medal one game later. Thus, as viewers tune in from all over the world to watch next weekend, who will be the next star, who shocks their fellow competitors with one shining moment of gold.
Looking back on my not so allustrious athletic career, most of the sports I played in high school were held off sight in a relatively obscure locations like local golf courses and State Parks. The only sport I participated in with bleachers was swimming, my weakest talent by far. Yes, my 200 Individual Medal Relay did earn a bronze medal at the 1986 State Meet held at the University of Delaware’s pool, but my lack of speed cost us the gold. Yet, in one of my last high school races as a senior, God moved me to swim faster than I ever had before. Despite dabbling in butterfly, back and free style, the 100 yard breast was my strongest stroke and race.
Leading our arch rival Brandywine by a point heading into the final 2 events, I was facing a cross town swimmer who was 1 second faster on average throughout the season. Typically, the number 1 swimmer swam the inside lanes, a little faster than the 2 outside lanes due to the wake splashing back into swimmers. However, just before stepping on the starting block, their top breast stroker switched lanes to shadow me in lane 1. After 25 yards I was slightly behind, pulling even by the halfway mark. Since the bleachers were right on top of lane 1, I began to hear a roar from lane 2 as I approached the final turn. The noise of the crowd, filled me adrenaline, causing me to go faster and faster as I touched the final wall, finish line. As I looked up, the noise was deafening as members of the final relay applauded my victory by 4 seconds, shattering my PR by 3 seconds. In addition, our other swimmer passed both of Brandywine’s breast strokers in the final 5 yards to earn second and mathematically clinch the win.
As great as this experience felt, there is only one other shining moment that compares. While in college I was asked to help out at a lock-in by my high school swim coach who had become a youth pastor. During the festivities, I was drawn to a kid who was called Satan by his peers. Yeah, he had a mean streak inside of him that was pure evil, but the Holy Spirit moved me to minister to him. Layer by layer, like peeling an onion, God began to show me the defense mechanism that he had created to prevent his heart from being broken again. During an altar call late in the night, I led this young man to invite Jesus into his heart, Romans 10:9-10. Able to fulfill the words of James 5:19-20, I sensed another round of applause, this time from heaven. “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who do not repent,” Luke 15:7. May you experience multiple spiritual shining moments in not just during the Olympics, but throughout life.
Tears for Fears once sang about releasing emotions in their song Shout. “Shout, shout, let it all out; These are the things I can do without, come on – I’m talking to you.” Meanwhile, a laundry product called Shout claimed they could remove any spot on clothing by applying their special ingredients to make stains disappear. While one brings back great memories and the other a mother’s dream, this blog is devoted to giving a shout out to words of the prophet Zechariah.
According to Zechariah 3:1, Satan is like a stain that just won’t come out, permanently damaging our spiritual clothes. Left with filthy clothing, tainted by sin, these blemishes are a constant remainder of our imperfections, Zechariah 3:3. Just when your mind comes to grips with this helpless state, an angel intervenes. Shouting it out, this angel provides first class dry cleaning, replacing the old with a new outfit, Zechariah 3:4-5.
Serving as a spiritual laundry detergent, the Lord Almighty has a special day planned. Revealed in Zechariah 3:9, God plans to remove all the sins of this land in a single day. News like this is comparable to the excitement demonstrated by the prodigal son on the day he returned to his father, Luke 15:20. Therefore, don’t act nonchalantly; rather stand up and shout it out, rejoicing about the forgiveness, grace and mercy poured out upon you and me to erase our dirty laundry.
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