“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

What does it mean to seek someone’s face? It’s an odd thing to say, but the call to seek God’s face appears many times in the Bible.

When I was a young girl I remember attempting new and daring things (like cartwheels!) When I felt I’d mastered them, I wanted someone to recognize my expertise and be impressed. Most of the time, my mother was available for the job. I’d say, “Mom! Mom! Watch this!” I would repeat cries like this until she dropped everything she was doing to observe my prowess. Half the time I would fail, but she would still say, “That’s great, honey,” much to my chagrin. The other half, I would do it perfectly only to look up, expecting applause, and see she had gotten distracted and turned away missing my performance. In either case I would have to continue my pleas for her attention. For her approval. For her adulation.

For her face.

When I am seeking God’s face, I’m seeking to please Him. I want Him to watch me and be pleased. I want Him to look at me and smile with delight saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

Dear God,

Thank you for the joy of your beautiful face when it is shining at me. Please forgive me quickly when I behave in a way that makes you turn your face away in shame or disappointment. Show me the changes I must make to turn your smile back in my direction. Teach me how to do things worthy of your attention, things that please you and delight you and make you want to shout for joy.

“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Whenever a verse starts with “And” I have to look and see what the first part of the conjunction is. Without it, the thought isn’t complete.

Before today’s verse, Paul says the relatively well-known verse, “…God loves a cheerful giver.”

Giving is hard. Why? Partly because we humans cannot predict the future, so we like to store up extra “just in case.” But it’s hard to know how much is enough to have extra, and impossible to know how much extra will be enough!

If I give some to you now, I might not have enough later. Scary.

In today’s verse Paul is telling me that I don’t need to be afraid. God is enough. More than enough in fact. He uses the word “overflow” in fact.

No matter what we are talking about giving here (time, money, energy, stamps, parking spaces, cups of sugar, squares of toilet paper…), God is able to provide more than I need. He says God will provide grace (aka unearned favor) so that I will always have everything I need in every way. I don’t need to worry or hoard or be stingy or starve myself either.

Why does God do this for me when I don’t deserve it? So that I can stop focusing on my needs and start focusing on loving other people — so that I may “excel in every good work.” In order to be a cheerful giver, I have to stop worrying about the what-ifs of my future and worry about the right-nows of someone else. God promises to take care of my future needs if I use what He’s blessed me with to help someone out today.

God doesn’t need me to give, don’t get me wrong. The person He plans for me to help will get help from someone else if God wants them to be helped. However, if I don’t do it, I will miss out on the joy of seeing someone’s situation improved and the joy of seeing God provide for me when I need it! And God really wants me to experience these joys.

It’s like an investment. I can put my $10 under my mattress. Or I can invest it with God. I have to give it away to invest it though, just like I would if I were investing it with a bank. If I opt for the mattress plan, I will have my $10 next year, safe and sound, probably. If I opt to invest it instead, I will be overflowing with dividends forever.

Dear God,

Thank you for your promise to provide for me when I don’t hold on too tightly to what you’ve already given me. Give me the courage to give cheerfully and generously and to trust you to provide for my needs. Show me the good works you have planned for me to invest my resources in today. Forgive me for ever letting fear hold me back.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

This morning I witnessed a 75% solar eclipse. I marveled at how bright it was with only a quarter of the sun’s light getting through. It’s incredible to me that we can predict these occurrences down to the minute all because God’s workmanship is so precise.

God created the sun and moon to move exactly the way they do. And they will keep doing that until He tells them to stop.

Every night I can look out into the vast expanse of space and wonder about the Being who created all that. How far does it go? What is out there? Did He create it all just so we could wonder about its mysteries and dream of ways to explore it?

There are so many wonders of this world. The deep trenches of the oceans. Nanoparticles and quarks and spaces between them. Even our own bodies hold mysteries we are far from understanding. I think God created all these things because He loves us and delights in seeing His children explore and uncover secrets about His creation and therefore learn about Him. He gave us curiosity and loves hearing our joyful cries of “Eureka!”

I loved exploring the natural world around me as a small child. I would spend entire days just observing and analyzing little bits of creation. I pounded small rocks into sand to examine all the different colors that came out. I would watch how a spider would make a web and how the dew would turn the strands into jewels in the morning sun. And I remember one rare evening when we saw the aurora borealis in southern Wisconsin and marveled at the colorful undulating lights.

If God’s creation is this wonderful, God must be so incredibly amazing. He clearly loves beauty and mystery and detail and wonder. Everywhere I look, I see His love.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for the majestic and intimate wonders you have prepared for me to discover in your creation. I don’t thank you enough for the gifts of discovery and beauty I open every day. Thank you! Keep my eyes open to see your hand in all of it and return to you with gratitude.

“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

There are a couple of meanings for discipline. The author of Hebrews is talking about the discipline a parent gives their child. But I want to talk about the discipline of physical training. It is similar, and I have more recent experience with it.

Both kinds of discipline are unpleasant at the time, as today’s verse says. But both are meant to improve the life, health, and character of the one being disciplined.

I used to participate in a “boot camp” exercise program twice a week. I absolutely hated going, but I managed to get into a habit and attended regularly for a few years. I remember during some of the exercises thinking, “I can’t wait for this to be over!” But I was always glad I did it after it was done.

In general during that time I felt fit and strong. I was confident that I could run up a flight of stairs and not be winded or go on any hike without difficulty or play a few hours of tennis with no issues. I rarely got injured. And a friend told me she heard me described by someone as being “ripped.” I think that was definitely an exaggeration, but I was happy about it.

Then one day we moved to a new city and away from my exercise class. I got out of the habit of exercising — I lost my discipline. I was busy getting settled in my new town. I enjoyed not dreading the classes twice a week, but I noticed by body changing. I hurt my knee stepping off a curb. I was winded walking up a long flight of stairs. I could barely do a few pushups. My clothes started fitting too snugly. And I just felt weak and tired a lot.

I didn’t have my discipline anymore and it showed! Instead I had comfort and leisure, but the result was weakness and lethargy.

This is true of spiritual discipline too. If I get in the habit of reading the Bible and praying every day, I will be strong when challenging times arrive in my life. I will be able to meet them with the confidence that God provides instead of despair and defeat.

Life is busy and setting aside time for the discipline of Bible study and prayer and meeting with other believers isn’t always something I look forward to at all. In fact, I may even dread it. But as I discovered with my exercise class, “no pain, no gain” is really true. And I’m always glad it did it afterwards.

Dear God,

Thank you for reminding me that the time and energy I spend on learning about you and contemplating your will is highly worthwhile. Help me to recognize the benefits of my investment in my relationship with you. Forgive my laziness, selfish desire for comfort, and misplaced priorities. Give me the strength and wisdom to keep working hard at my faith.

“Nations will come to your light, and kings to your shining brightness.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I saw a documentary about sea turtle hatchlings recently. Apparently they are innately drawn to the brightest horizon which is usually over the ocean. However when there are bright lights near the beach the become disorientated and wander inland where they get run over, drown in pools, starve or dry up, instead of heading to the relative safety of the sea.

Of course this also makes me think of moths bonking into my windows at night when they are attracted by the kitchen light.

Humans too are drawn to light. When we are lost we look for a light to guide the way. And our senses are thrilled by bright flashing lights at clubs and parties. The developers of ads and phone apps know how well bright colors and flashing lights retain eyeballs.

But the lights of this world are dim compared with the shining glory of God. Jesus came to earth and brought this light so all who followed Him would find their way to God.

Isaiah wrote today’s verse way before Jesus’s arrival on earth as a human and Savior. And yet this is the light he’s referring to. He’s talking about the New Jerusalem the same way John did in the book of Revelation. There John says there will no longer be a need for the sun because God will illuminate everything with His glory.

The sun is the brightest thing I know. So bright it’s dangerous to look directly at it. So bright that the reflection of it off the moon is often the brightest thing at night.

But God is brighter. And when Jesus comes, making a new place for us to live, everyone will be drawn to His awesome light like sea turtles rushing toward the warm and welcoming sea.

Dear God,

Thank you for your shining glory and your promise of a bright future with you. Thank you for the sun, the moon, and all of your magnificent creation. I look forward to the day when the only light I need shines directly from you, and I can bask in your beautiful glory forever.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

It’s a matter of priorities. And how we define life.

The other day I was talking to my doctor about a problem I am having. She said she could prescribe a medicine that would solve my problem, but it would add the risk of another problem. So I had to choose. Which problem did I want to solve? Which solution would gave me a better life?

I can define life by quality of life or length of life. In my case, taking the medication would improve my quality of life now but risked shortening the length of my life. Which is my priority?

Jesus is saying something similar in today’s verse. He is saying that I have a choice. If I prioritize my life now (my comfort, goals, desires, and ambitions), I will perhaps be more comfortable, for now. Maybe I will achieve some success, fame or fortune. Maybe. But then I will die. The end. I will have spent my life striving with nothing lasting to show for it. At least nothing I can enjoy.

However, if I prioritize Jesus and the gospel, I may sacrifice comfort now, but my life will have more meaning and lasting value. God’s goals are so much wiser and more beautiful than my goals. And then, at the end, I will inherit eternal life. Not just a few more years tacked on at the end of my life when I’m already old and frail. He’s talking about living forever with Him in a new and perfect world.

Is it a tough choice?

Dear God,

Thank you for inviting me into your priorities. Teach me how to choose your priorities today. Remind me again and again. Please forgive me when I choose my comfort or decide I want to control things and do them the way I want to do them. Give me the courage to trust you and let you lead me. I trust you!

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Constant love? That’s impossible.

Or is it?

It’s not possible by the world’s definition of love. I can’t always have happy feelings about anyone. I can’t always be excited to see anyone. I can’t be available for anyone every second of every day. I can’t always support everything anyone does or agree with everything anyone says. That’s the world’s definition of love — it’s about emotion and passion and availability and unquestioning agreement.

God’s definition of love is quite different. God’s definition of love is… God. God is love. If I know God and keep Him at the top of my mind all the time, I have love, all the time. If I make His priorities my priorities, I have love. Whenever I am looking to God and obeying Him, I have love. And if I put God first in all my relationships and seek God during all my interactions with other people, I will be able to maintain constant love for them.

Loving has nothing to do with me. I definitely cannot maintain constant love for anyone. Maybe five minutes. Tops.

Instead love has everything to do with God. With God, the source of all love, maintaining constant love for anyone is absolutely possible.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for giving me so much love that I have plenty to spare. Teach me how to put you in the middle of all my relationships so that there is love. Remind me of your priorities and show me where I am getting it wrong. Help me to make changes so my goals align with yours in every interaction. Thank you for your forgiveness of my failure to love.

“I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous works.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Even though someone else (David) wrote this, when I read it I feel compelled to act because of the “I will” statements. David was a master at praising God. And from what I can tell, he also seemed inexplicably optimistic during some very challenging times in his life. I think these two things go hand in hand. Praising God gives me hope, the churchy word for optimism.

How does this work?

Looking at today’s verse, David says, “I will thank the Lord with all my heart.” It seems exuberant and almost forceful.

When I thank someone, presumably it’s because something good has happened. (When I thank them with all my heart, something really good has happened.) I notice it and appreciate it and am thinking about this good thing. Thinking about good things leads to optimism. For example, if I thank you for bringing me a cake today, I’m thinking about cake and how much I love it. And then I envision how cake might be possible again in my future. Perhaps you might even bring me some tomorrow, or perhaps I can buy my own cake and bring some for you. That’s optimism.

David also says, “I will declare all your wondrous works.” Here again, some good things have happened. But instead of thanking the source, I’m telling everyone else about the wonderful things. I’m telling my coworkers and neighbors about the delicious cake you brought me. We are now all thinking about the good thing and getting optimistic about cake and possibilities for future cake. Maybe we will plan a block party with several varieties of cake. So much hope and optimism because I thanked you for your cake and declared your wondrous cake to my neighbors.

How much more valuable is God’s love than cake. Cake is great, sure, but God’s love is the best flavor, the most beautiful color, the loveliest smell, and the warmest, satisfied feeling all wrapped up into one miraculous gift.

Dear God,

Thank you — with all my heart — for the great gift of your love. Thank you also for cake. Give me the boldness to declare your wonders — your love, all of creation, how you have worked in my life, and even cake — to people in my life.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

David, the author today’s verse, was king of Israel at one point, but he was also king of praising God, his whole life. Praising has never been my strong suit so I have often turned to the psalms that David wrote for inspiration.

This is one of my favorites. Because it is so unusual! How often do you think about tasting God? Sure, I taste food all the time to see if it’s good. Does my sauce need more salt? Is the drink too sweet? Is the sandwich dry and in need of mustard?

But taste God?

David asks me to do just that. And he is sure that I will discover God’s goodness by doing so.

So how do I taste God? It could be literally, I suppose, by taking communion. This symbol of Jesus’s sacrifice is supposed to remind me of His great gift and immense love for me so that is certainly very good. But Jesus and the communion sacrament came after David wrote this.

So he was probably talking a bit more symbolically. God created me. He created my tastebuds. He created sugar and spice and everything nice that there is to taste. God loves the people He created and gets a real kick out of doing delightful things for us. He loves to see my face light up with joy when I taste a plump ripe strawberry or lick a cold chocolate ice cream cone on a hot day. When I think about the beautiful gift of taste, I have to thank God. What a fantastic gift! He didn’t have to make things taste good or create such a variety of flavors, but He did. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good indeed!

Dear God,

Thank you so much for the wonderful gift of flavor and taste. It’s such a beautiful and creative gift. I’m sorry I don’t thank you every single time I put something yummy in my mouth. Thank you for this reminder of your love!

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

What a simple verse. But although it’s simple, it won’t mean much if you don’t know Jesus. You’d be puzzling over what attitude the author, Paul, is talking about.

By reading the surrounding verses, it’s clear to see he’s talking about humility. In fact just prior to today’s verse, Paul says I should consider others more important than myself. That’s humility!

You can see how Jesus personified humility by reading the whole New Testament of the Bible. He gave up being God to become human. And not a wealthy one with high social status. He was born in a stable in a backwater town. He was poor and homeless during His entire ministry, relying on the hospitality of others. He would hang out with anyone and even touched the “untouchables” of His time. He didn’t use any of the infinite power at His disposal to save Himself from harm, and He ultimately allowed Himself to be killed wearing the undeserved guilty mantle that belongs to you and me.

Jesus’s attitude was definitely one of humility. And it’s the attitude I am asked to have as well.

So how does that play out in my life? It means pretty much doing the opposite of what feels right!

When I am driving down the highway and someone wants to merge into my lane, I will make it easy for them instead of trying to claim my space or speeding up to get in front of them. After all, wherever they are trying to go is more important than my appointment.

When there aren’t quite enough to go around, I will make sure the person next to me gets one instead of taking one for myself first. After all, their needs are more important than mine.

When someone is rude to me, I will react with kindness and generosity because they are probably having a difficult day and need peace more than I do right now.

Humility is generally assuming the other person is more in need of whatever resources there are than I am. It’s hard. But it’s what Jesus did, and with His strength, I can too.

Dear God,

Thank you for the example of humility you gave me in your Son. Please help me to live up to your ideal. I know I don’t. Forgive my many, many failures! Help me to notice my pride and give me wisdom to know how to adjust my attitude and behavior toward humility.