CamDevo

My hometown church displayed a board on the side wall of the sanctuary that listed a few numbers. These numbers changed slightly from Sunday to Sunday. As a child I wondered what those numbers meant. When I was old enough to understand, it was explained to me. One number was the count of people who had attended church that day. Another was the number of people who had attended last Sunday. A final number tallied the people who had attended Sunday School.

The reason these numbers were counted and displayed so prominently was not explained to me, but it was obvious that those numbers were important to the church. Maybe the numbers were there to remind the attendees that their presence at the worship services was noticed and valued. Maybe it was a performance metric used to evaluate the pastor. Maybe there was competition with the other churches in town. It may have been a source of pride if the numbers were growing or a source of shame if they were dwindling.

I don’t know whether church attendance numbers are useful or meaningful. I’ve never been a church administrator. I do know that church attendance doesn’t necessarily correlate with changed hearts and belief in Jesus as Savior.

God’s children want to be where God is. We want to be together to worship Him. And when we do gather, in His name, He promises to show up.

The problem is, some churches don’t seem to gather “in His name”. They gather for other business or to sing songs or to socialize and be part of a club. Is God invited? In this case, attendance numbers matter a lot.

When a group does invite God, He shows up with His powerful Spirit. And His children are drawn to His love.

“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God’s presence draws people in. It changes hearts and changes lives. Numbers are irrelevant. No one can even count the crowds. We are all one church. And we’re all here together to worship the one true God.

Dear God, I’m so glad to be among those who worship you, those who have been saved by Jesus. Please forgive me for the times when I have attended church without making you the star of the show. Reveal your glorious presence among your people as we gather and teach us how to worship you, how to praise you, and how to honor you properly.

I’m a photographer. I see things in the world around me all the time that I want to get a good photo of. Beautiful things like flowers in a certain light at an angle that makes the petals glow. Or some interesting rock formation silhouetted by a vivid sunset. I love to look at these photos later and upload them to my website for others to enjoy.

But no matter how beautiful my end product, it is only a dull copy of something that God created. I’m a plagiarist, a forger. God is a true artist.

“Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God’s creation is astonishing in its variety, depth, cleverness, beauty, vastness, and always-changing nature. My mind boggles at the complexity when contemplating just one single aspect of His creation. Watching the clouds shift and dance, billow and unfurl as the sunset colors wash over them is captivating. I think of all that beauty created with water vapors and atmospheric pressures. God’s art is just there, unsigned, for all to see and enjoy.

Does God watch His sunsets with me, wondering what I think? Perhaps He watches me instead, enjoying the warmth of my appreciation as the beauty shifts and unfolds.

Dear God, thank you for your amazing and inspiring creation. It is beyond anything I could ever dream up. The blue sky, snowflakes, the microscopic world, colors, the way my lungs work, the fur of a cat and its scratchy little tongue… Your world is truly astounding. You deserve all the praise, glory, and honor for such a creation!

I’m a morning person. By that I mean I have the most energy and motivation to accomplish things in the morning. I don’t usually struggle to get out of bed. Even when I get a poor night’s sleep, I’m more capable before noon than I will be in the evening. My brain works better and my body works better.

By the afternoon, my body is ready to rest. By the evening my eyes are tired, my brain is done thinking, and I struggle to work up the drive to do anything strenuous or complicated.

All of us have times when we are more vulnerable. Vulnerable to temptation. Vulnerable to feelings of doubt. Vulnerable to attack.

For me, I’m most vulnerable late at night. And I think this is pretty common. My husband is not a morning person. He always seems to want to start a project when I’m thinking about heading to bed. But even he seems more vulnerable at night.

In the deep dark of night, when the long day is done, this is the devil’s time to shine. He can sneak around and whisper lies into my vulnerable ears.

Unlike mine, God’s strength never fluctuates. He is not a morning person or an evening person. His is an all-the-time person. He’s just as powerful, wise, and holy at 2:30am as He is at 8:30am. The darkness isn’t dark to Him. So when I turn to Him, fearful and trembling in the dark, His glory shines bright like a spotlight of warmth and love. The devil flees taking those doubts and insecurities with him.

“But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning. For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.” (Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

I can easily praise God in the morning because He has been with me all through the dark night, assuring me of His complete power, comforting me with His inexhaustible love, and protecting me with His beautiful presence.

Dear God, thank you for your promise to be with me always. Thank you for being my strength when I am most vulnerable. Shine the glory of your presence on me in all circumstances so I can confidently come out from the dark praising you.

It is illegal to whisper into someone’s ear while moose hunting in Alaska. California has a law guaranteeing citizens access to sunlight for drying laundry. And in Kentucky, you are only legally allowed to sell dyed chickens, ducks, and rabbits in quantities of six or more.

We get a kick out of laws like this because they sound so absurd. And they sound absurd because most laws have some basis in common sense. For example, the speed limit. While I may not obey the letter of the law all the time (oops), I understand and obey the spirit of the law which is to drive safely, predictably, and consistently with the flow of traffic.

Most laws have to do with allowing all the people crowded onto this planet safety, security, and equitable access to resources.

Of course there are and have been many laws enacted for less noble purposes, written to benefit one group of people while minimizing the rights of another, for example. That will always be the case in this broken world.

God’s laws however are perfect, wise, and just. They may not seem so because they were written for a specific group of people at a specific time. Today, the laws discussing animal sacrifice, for example, sound cruel, unusual, messy, and impractical if not impossible.

The purpose of those laws was to show how high God’s standards are and how miserable we are at keeping them.

Thankfully, Jesus came to fulfill those laws for us. And in doing so, He made obedience so much simpler.

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭14,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Not only did Jesus make obedience to God’s perfect law simpler, He also saved us from the consequences of our failure. Because we humans can’t even manage to obey this one simple, easy-to-remember law. But we should sure try.

Dear God, thank you so much for simplifying your law down from 613 commands to just one: love. When I am confused or conflicted, remind me to react with love. Give me the strength, courage, and capability to love in all the circumstances I’m faced with today.

You’ve heard the saying “Seeing is believing.” For me, I can also say “Seeing is eating.”

I have a powerful sweet tooth, inherited from my mother. Limiting my sugar intake requires more than simple willpower. I have to put all snacks and treats out of my line of sight. If they are hidden inside a cabinet or drawer, the temptation is more manageable. But if a bowl of chocolates or a jar of cookies is sitting there on the counter, the draw is overwhelming. When my eye catches sight, my mind starts to spin, my mouth waters, and my stomach gurgles. My battle to resist is up a very steep and slippery hill while pushing a boulder. Or two.

“Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭14‬, ‭CSB‬‬)

Now, I’m not saying that cake and ice cream are evil. But temptation is temptation. When faced with any kind of temptation, I can improve the chances of successfully resisting by turning away. Not just saying no, but consciously, repeatedly, and purposefully moving away from whatever bad thing is tempting me and moving toward something good.

That second part is important — moving toward something good. It’s a lot easier to replace a bad habit than it is to stop a bad habit. When tempted by a sugary snack, it helps me to get busy doing something absorbing, perhaps with a carrot to gnaw on.

Dear God, thank you for giving me tools in the fight against evil in my life. Please forgive me for the times when I don’t turn away from things that are bad for me — and you know I’m not just talking about food… Help me to recognize bad things in my life. Remind me to turn away from them and run toward you.

The police used to be called peace officers. The term peace officer was coined back in the Wild West of the 1800s and was used up through the 1960s. At that point the term transitioned to “police” or “law enforcement officer”.

The name “peace officer” made it clear their main goal was to promote peace. And in the Wild West, that was no easy thing. People from all over the world were flocking to the “new” territory and trying to make their way in a hostile land. Managing the conflicting values, goals, and beliefs about the land, and how to live in it, was not for the faint of heart.

It may seem counter-intuitive but peace must be fought for.

“…Present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6b‬-‭7‬, CSB)‬‬

In this life, we are under constant attack from many fronts. Our desires lead us into envy and shame. Our culture bombards us with fears and insecurities. And the devil loves to stir it all up with confusion and chaos. Peace seems elusive.

So I need to be on alert. I need to constantly fight for peace. How? By going to God with my shame, envy, fear, insecurity, and confusion. He is always ready to exchange all that for peace. He is the ultimate peace officer. When I trust Him to guard my heart and mind, I can live at peace in the wildest environment.

Dear God, thank you for being my peace officer and the only source of lasting peace in this wild world. Remind me not to worry but to bring my chaos to you. Please replace my fear with your solid peace today.

I have some diaries that I wrote when I was in high school. When I read them, I sound so silly. I was stressed about things that seem so trivial now. The issues I describe didn’t impact my life beyond high school. In fact, they were largely forgotten as soon as I graduated. And yet at the time, my struggles seemed momentous and overwhelming.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would try to tell her not to worry about these things, that they wouldn’t matter in the end. I would try to say, without judgment or condescension, that it’s going to be OK when you graduate. The next thing will be so much better.

I wonder if I would listen.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭33,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It’s so easy to become overwrought by our situations here on earth. Our lives are filled with devastating losses and confusing changes. Jesus knows this. When He spoke with the disciples before His crucifixion He tried to tell them that they were going to be confused and afraid for a time, but that everything was going to be OK. The next thing will be so much better.

Today, it’s true as well. My current challenges and anxiety-inducing situations, as seen from God’s broad perspective, are small and easily managed. Nothing that can happen to me here on earth can prevent me from enjoying God’s eternal beauty. The next thing will be so much better. And I can enjoy peace today because of that.

Dear God, I know my problems are trivial to you, but you love me enough to listen, care, comfort, and guide me anyway. Your heart breaks when I am heartbroken because you are a loving God. But you can see so far beyond my pain. You see the beauty, peace, and joy that is to come and is already available when I trust you. Teach me to look with expectant hope beyond my current circumstance.

I barely remember my wedding. And not because it was so long ago (only 19 years). I barely remembered anything about it just a month later because the day was a blur. In fact, the weeks leading up to it were also kind of a blur — a flurry of activity with many things to organize and prepare and consider and decide and manage.

And then it happened. Suddenly, I became a wife.

Next thing I knew, I was on my honeymoon with my shiny new husband. We chose a relaxing beach vacation to counteract the hecticness and stress we’d just survived. My husband just wanted to spend time relaxing and enjoying his shiny new wife.

But it took me a long time to figure out how to do nothing. Simply sitting on a beach chair watching the waves seemed impossible. I’d spent so much time and energy preparing to get married, but I didn’t actually know how to just be married.

I think this is often the way we treat God too. We get busy “serving” Him with church activities or volunteer gigs or fundraising events that we forget to just spend time with Him. We attend meetings, join committees, strive, fight, struggle, and work, thinking the busier we are, the more pleased God will be.

“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬, ‭CSB‬‬)

There are certainly jobs God has for me and purposes He has planned for me to accomplish, but His number one priority for me is to simply sit at His feet and be with Him.

Dear God, thank you for the reminder that you prioritize my relationship with you over anything else I could possibly do for you. I know when I sit at your feet and contemplate who you are, I am filled with awe and joy. I can’t help but praise you.

I have been suffering from depression for the last couple of years. It was mild at first but has gotten increasingly worse, compounded by grief. I can still function — that is, I can still do laundry, walk the dog, attend birthday parties, etc. — but I don’t have much joy or enthusiasm for any of it. The thought of embarking on a new project feels overwhelming. I’m struggling to finish the ones I have already started.

Believe it or not, this may be exactly where God wants me to be right now.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God doesn’t love that I am suffering. At the same time, He may be allowing my depression to linger for a reason. He may be withholding His healing so that I can learn something important about Him and what He is capable of.

Several people lately have called me their “sunshine.” They have told me that I brought something beautiful into their lives. This baffled me, truly, because I do not at all feel like sunshine. I do not feel that I have anything beautiful to offer. So I must assume that what they are seeing is God reflecting off of me. He is the bright source of any light or love or joy or goodness that I have to offer.

If I weren’t feeling so dull, perhaps those comments about my “brightness” would make me proud. Instead, I can only gratefully point to God.

Dear God, I’m so glad that my strength or capability doesn’t matter to you. You are able to do your will through me whether I feel up to it or not! Thank you for this lesson and remind me to always look to you for everything I need. Teach me to be obedient no matter what I feel capable of. Meanwhile, I’d love to be freed from the weight of depression.

My husband is not a great singer. He can’t carry a tune or stay in the same key for a whole stanza. And yet he does sing. His lack of skill doesn’t stop him.

Over the years I have come to love his singing though. Because it means he’s in a good mood. He makes up little cheerful tunes about how much he loves me or how happy he is to be doing whatever we are doing: walking the dog, loading the dishwasher, floating in the pool… The lyrics are ridiculous and the melody is wonky, but they are beautiful songs.

“The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” (Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

This is one of my favorite verses. It says God delights in me with singing. One day I hope to hear His singing. I’m guessing it will be the most beautiful music I have ever heard. And it will be filled with delight and love to a degree that even my husband’s joyful tunes can’t match.

Dear God, thank you for your forgiveness and salvation. Thank you for redeeming me so that I bring you joy instead of sadness. I’m so excited to experience firsthand your songs of delight, gladness, and love!