CamDevo

In the animal kingdom, the primary driver of behavior is survival. Animals do everything they can to keep on living another day. They focus their energy on those things and only those things.

With a glaring exception: motherhood. (And in some cases, fatherhood.)

Animal mothers spend vast resources protecting, feeding, and training their young even though this threatens their own survival. God built animals with this instinct so entire species could survive, not just individual animals.

In humans, God built something on top of motherhood. He created us in His image, so He built us with love.

Sure, we naturally seek our own survival and that of our offspring. But we also have the capacity to reach beyond that to help friends and even strangers. We volunteer time and money for people we will never even meet. When we see someone in pain, we want to help stop that pain, even if it causes us a little more pain.

“Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭16,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

That is the beauty of being God’s child, the beauty of love. It is a sacrifice. It goes counter to my animal, survival instinct. But it’s a sacrifice that makes the world a little more like Heaven. And a sacrifice that makes God smile.

Dear God, thank you for all you have blessed me with in this life. Guide me today in the best, most loving and effective ways to share those blessings with people in this world who are hurting. Thank you for loving me and for giving me a capacity to love.

Many Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories have been written where words have power. (A Man of His Word series by Dave Duncan or The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin, among many others.) Magicians today would also have you believe at least some of their power comes from words like abracadabra and presto-changeo or something.

Words actually do have power of course, but not the way these stories or magicians propose.

Words I speak have the ability to make someone’s day much better, or much worse. They can start a new friendship or damage an existing relationship forever. Words from a powerful world leader can start a war, or end one. Words do have power, and I should use them carefully.

However, the power of words from my human mouth are quite limited. Someone must hear them, in the right circumstance. There is no power in my simply uttering them into the void.

Words from God’s mouth have ultimate power. He created everything that exists simply by uttering a few world into the void. There was no one to hear Him say, “Let there be light.” And yet light indeed appeared. The Big Bang perhaps. Boom. Light. Worlds. Galaxies. Universes.

Just with a Word.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John‬ ‭1‬:‭1,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Jesus is the Word that created everything. He later wrapped Himself up in human form to come teach us more clearly about God’s power. His love. His Word.

Jesus calmed the storm with a word. He healed countless diseases with words. He killed a tree with a word. He raised Lazarus from the dead with a word.

God’s power is complete. It is beyond my comprehension. I can rely on His Word because His Word has power. Real power. When He speaks, His will will be done. Without fail.

Dear God, thank you for your creation and for the reminder of the completeness of your power. There is nothing else as powerful, and no one to fear when I am in the shadow of your wings. With a word, you can create or destroy. Nothing can stand against you. Remind me to use my own words and power carefully, to love and not destroy.

I’m not an alcoholic, for which I am very grateful. However, being addicted to sugar, I can easily imagine the feeling of need, sometimes all-consuming, for some substance such as alcohol. I know it is not at all the same, but I’m just saying I have a vague idea of what an alcoholic or drug addict suffers daily.

My addiction, sugar, is socially acceptable, and if I fall off the wagon, it tends not to destroy my life. When I give in to my cravings, I suffer only mildly, and the damage is gradual with only long-term health detriments.

Falling off the wagon with drugs and alcohol is very damaging almost immediately. The effects can be sweeping and dramatic — loss of a job, a relationship, a home.

“Have mercy on those who waver;” (Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬, ‭CSB‬‬)

We all have struggles, including with our faith. Life is hard, and finding ways to cope is a constant quest. When I put my trust in something other than God, I am going to be let down. But sometimes those other things seem more present and available than God does. The devil makes sure they are glamorous, enticing, and easy to reach for.

Judgment in those circumstances doesn’t do anyone any good. Compassion and mercy is what God offers. And it is also what I, as His follower, am called to offer.

Dear God, thank you for your mercy on me when I choose to find comfort in things this world offers instead of turning to you, the only true source of strength and love and comfort. Remind me to extend the same compassion, forgiveness, and mercy to others who waver in their faith, giving in to the panaceas of this world. Forgive me for the judgment I feel. Fill me instead with your love.

Is mercy the same as being “soft on crime”?

Calling an opponent soft on crime is common political jargon intended as an insult during election seasons. When people hear it, they are meant to envision thieves and murderers breaking into their homes with no repercussions, a frightening lack of justice.

Is that the same as mercy? Is mercy weak? Is mercy a lack of justice?

God is called both just and merciful in the Bible. How do these two things co-exist?

Justice means laws and rules are enforced. Appropriate and timely punishment is given to people who commit crimes.

Mercy is the choice not to give that punishment to the criminal. Not a failure or inability to do so, but intentionally choosing not to.

God is both just and merciful to His children. He did mete out justice for all of our crimes. And the punishment was very harsh. It called for death. However, God is also merciful because He chose not to give that punishment to the criminals, us. He delivered the punishment instead to His own Son, Jesus. Justice was served while we received loving mercy.

“Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭17,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭36,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Now that we have seen how it’s done, God tells us to behave the same way. We should seek justice for those who can’t find it and offer mercy at every turn. God’s ultimate justice will prevail, and His mercy as well.

Dear God, thank you for your amazing gift of mercy. Thank you also for your promise of justice — although I’m glad you didn’t make me pay the price for my sins. Teach me how to care for those who lack justice as well as be merciful to those who deserve punishment.

Many times in my life I have been faced with a situation I felt ill-equipped to manage. I am currently in the midst of one now. I have been asked to help my parents sell a parcel of land they have owned for nearly 60 years. There are a lot of variables, even more unknowns, and I live about 2000 miles away.

Life is full of confusing circumstances and challenging responsibilities. It’s easy to feel helpless and hopeless.

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly — and it will be given to him.” (James‬ ‭1‬:‭5,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Followers of Jesus are not immune to the trials of life. However, we do have the Creator of the Universe in our corner. There’s no need for me to fight my fight blindly, jabbing my ineffectual fists into the dark hoping to hit the mark.

God says, “Just ask me. I’ll give you what you need to figure it out and do the right thing.”

When I trust God, He promises to provide wisdom. That wisdom may come in the form of an adept realtor or some other expert. Or maybe a friend, an overheard conversation, or just an inspiration directly from God. No matter what, when wisdom is asked for, wisdom will be granted. God said so. Maybe it’s time I asked.

Dear God, thank you for your promise to generously bestow wisdom upon me when I ask for it. I am asking. I need wisdom today.

At some point in our lives, most people contemplate the meaning of life. More specifically, the meaning of our particular life. “Why am I here?” we ask.

Almost 20 years ago, I had an experience that gave me an idea on that topic. My 24 year old (at the time) brother was suddenly hospitalized with kidney failure. There had been no warning, but he urgently needed a kidney.

At that time, I was the healthiest person I knew. I rarely got sick. I’d never had a broken bone. I was strong, fit, and energetic. My teeth were straight, and my vision was 20/20.

So when my brother called, I didn’t hesitate to say yes to donating my kidney. And I remember having the distinct feeling that maybe this was my purpose in life. Maybe I had been born for this very thing. Maybe I had been healthy, while others in my family struggled with various ailments, so that I would be ready, willing, and able to donate a kidney to my brother.

This may not, in fact, be why God created me. But it could be. Maybe it was just one among several purposes. Who knows? One day I will find out.

“If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” (Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭14,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Esther was selected out of hundreds of girls to live in the palace. Perhaps God created her to be beautiful in exactly the right way, in the right time and place, to be chosen by the king. And her access to the king put her in a unique position to save her people, to do something heroic, brave, and good.

God would have saved the Israelites some other way if Esther hadn’t stepped up. His will is unstoppable, after all. But Esther was given the gift of becoming a hero.

If God wanted my brother to live and thrive, he would have received a kidney from someone else if I hadn’t been willing. God’s will is unstoppable. But I was given the great gift of being a hero.

Always be on the look out for ways to do good, to be brave and heroic. Because, who knows, perhaps you were born for such a time as this.

Dear God, thank you for allowing me to participate in your good work in the world. Show me all the ways you are working around me and open my eyes to the opportunities you provide for me to join you in that good work. Teach me how to be good, brave, and heroic every chance I get.

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong? Or maybe it was more like a week, or a month, or a year. Maybe you’re there right now.

Everything you try seems to fail. Every plan you make falls through. Every project you start fizzles out. Even the things that work seem to require twice the effort with half the expected result.

If so, it’s possible you are spending time in the belly of the fish.

“The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭17,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

If you haven’t read the story of Jonah, you should take a moment to read it right now. It’s a great story with thrills, humor, and a relatable main character.

Jonah spent time in the belly of a fish apppointed by God. Why? Because he was on the wrong path. He was working hard but doing all the wrong things.

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach. Instead Jonah immediately took a trip in the opposite direction. That’s when he started having one of those days. Life got very hard, and he was thwarted at every turn.

Until, finally, deep in the belly of a fish, he turned to God. He examined his choices, repented, and cried out for help. And God answered.

God had the fish spit Jonah out. Not into the middle of the sea where he had to swim, but onto dry land. My guess is that the land he was spat onto wasn’t too far from Nineveh, his commanded destination.

Suddenly, Jonah’s life got much simpler. Not necessarily more fun or better or even easier, just simpler. And much more successful.

God repeated His command: “Go to Nineveh and preach.” Jonah obeyed this time, and with a few simple words, the entire city turned to God.

Jesus told His followers that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Maybe, just maybe, when my life seems full of strife and struggle, I need to take some time to examine where I’m going and why. Am I listening to God or pushing forward with my own agenda? Perhaps, it’s the wrong agenda. God’s agenda is the best and simplest with the most direct path to success.

Dear God, thank you that you have a plan and purpose for me. Teach me how to hear your voice and give me the wisdom to obey your direction. Forgive me for the times when I have stubbornly pushed forward with what I wanted to do. Show me when struggles are appointed to reveal a conflict between your path and my chosen path. Please always guide me back to your path and out of the fish’s belly.

As an introvert, all social gatherings are trying. Parties, conferences, luncheons… I struggle to relax and enjoy any event where people, especially strangers, will be getting together and chatting.

The dread is mitigated when a good friend will be there to introduce me around and rescue me from bad conversations and uncomfortable situations.

But I’ve gone to parties with friends who didn’t do those things for me. That’s even worse. When I go to an event and my trusted friend ditches me the moment we step in the door, I feel abandoned and betrayed, on top of the typical social anxiety.

Do I treat Jesus that way?

I was at a Super Bowl party when a commercial came on for Jesus, believe it or not. It was part of the “He Gets Us” campaign. Jesus had arrived at the party. But I didn’t say anything to welcome Him. I continued whatever conversation I had been having. I was a terrible friend.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John‬ ‭1‬:‭29,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

John the Baptist was the kind of friend Jesus wants. Someone who welcomes Him exuberantly and introduces Him to all his friends.

I want to be more like John. When Jesus makes the effort to show up at my party, however He chooses to do it, I want to be the friend who welcomes Him in and introduces Him around.

Dear God, thank you for being such a good friend to me. Please forgive me for often ignoring the opportunities you have given me to introduce you to my friends. Open my eyes to the next opportunity whenever and however it arises. Give me courage and boldness to display my love for and trust in you.

My speech patterns are apparently quite malleable. When I was learning French in high school, my teacher had us listen to audio recordings of our vocabulary words. Then we were to record ourselves speaking various phrases using those words. After listening to my recordings, my teacher complemented me by saying I sounded just like a young Swiss girl. The speaker in the recordings had been Swiss.

Later in life I spent a few weeks in South Africa. I met a friend there who later visited me in the United States. Shortly after he arrived, he asked me what had happened to my accent. He was surprised that I sounded so American. I didn’t realize it, but I had adopted the sound of the voices around me while in South Africa and then again when I returned to the U.S.

I grew up in Wisconsin, but I quickly lost the accent and common phrases used amongst my family after living elsewhere. Still, each time I return, or even when I just spend time with my family there, those speech patterns return for a bit to the amusement of my husband.

“Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It matters who I spend time with. The people I relax with, befriend, hang out with, and listen to have attitudes and behaviors that will rub off on me, for better or worse.

If those people are always stressed and directionless, I may find it hard to find solid ground myself. However, if my main cohorts know God, we share that solid ground already.

If the voices I allow myself to hear most often are ones of anger and fear, those feelings will accumulate in my heart until they boil over and out of my mouth. However, if I turn away from those voices and tune in to ones speaking God’s message of love and joy, peace will settle in my heart instead.

Dear God, thank you for your consistent voice of love. Help me to be a person who speaks the way you speak, providing hope, peace, and joy to my hearers. Protect me from harsh voices and cruel attitudes in my environment. Draw me back to your voice, always.

I played trumpet in my high school’s marching band and then again in college. Among all the experiences I’ve had in my life, marching band was unique. A marching band is different from a concert band because you have to march around in synchronicity with all the other band members.

And a marching band is different from other types of synchronized marching, or even dancing, because you have to perform music while you move.

No other activity in my life has required as much focus on where I am and what I’m doing in relation to the other people around me. If I move a little slower or a little faster than the person next to me, everything falls apart. If I don’t turn at the exact right moment, in the exact right direction, and in the exact right way, there will be a major mishap. At best, the effect the band is trying to accomplish will be damaged. At worst, people will collide, fall over, and get hurt. No matter what, the show will be a failure.

So we practiced a lot.

Then there’s the music. We played in large echoing stadiums with thousands of people in attendance. It’s loud. I couldn’t hear the rest of the band, except in delayed echoes, so a unified tempo was difficult to maintain. To keep us all on track musically, we stationed several conductors on the sidelines with bright white gloves keeping time. It was important to watch them while also watching the marchers near to me and the hash marks on the ground.

Again, we practiced a lot. In fact in college, I had to go to marching band practice for two hours every afternoon during the football season. We marched around together in the stadium parking lot learning how to be a marching band.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Living as a follower of Jesus doesn’t just happen either. When I accept Jesus as my Savior, I’m saved. I’m in the band, as it were. But the world around me hasn’t changed. It still wants me to be self-absorbed and greedy. And I haven’t changed either. Not yet.

Learning how to live like a child of God takes a lot of practice. I need to pay very close attention to God’s instructions at all times. I need to listen for His voice and watch where I’m going. I need to be familiar with God’s word so I can discern and ignore the echoes of lies all around me.

With time and practice marching band became easier, more natural, and fun. An orchestrated, well-practiced, and synchronized group became a clever piece of art on the field when seen from the stands. And so it can be with followers of Jesus. We can make the world a more beautiful place now if we all practice being in step with God each day.

Dear God, thank you for giving me the experience of marching band. Thank you for showing me how important it is to pay attention to you at all times. Please forgive the times when I have looked away or stopped listening and have gotten out of step with you.