Life By The Way

A Matter of Inches

Inches That Changed Everything

Recent events have left me, like many of you, heartbroken and pondering where we are in our society.

I was thinking about how in many ways, life comes down to inches, minutes, or even fractions of seconds. A bullet can merely graze the flesh, or penetrate the tissue of life- inches. In a car accident, sometimes the difference of inches can be the difference in life or death. For an elite athlete, a fraction of a second is the difference between Olympic Gold, breaking a world record, or dashed dreams.

And at the risk of sounding crude, even at the beginning of life itself, how far for sperm to travel to meet egg? Only inches.

Life can change in just a few minutes, or even seconds: a marriage, a birth, a death, a win, a loss.

And on the cross – how long were the nails? By most accounts, five to seven inches.

Five to seven inches of iron spikes.

Those five to seven inches of iron that pierced hands and feet, holding Jesus to the cross, brought death to Him, but life to us. His moments of agony became our healing. With His death and resurrection, everything changed. Hope was reborn. Eternal life promised and secured.

Some things we don’t understand, and may never understand, this side of Heaven. But we need to be reminded that the One who holds the seconds, minutes, and inches in His Hands is Lord of All. We can trust in His Sovereignty, knowing that we won’t live one moment longer, or one moment less, than He has planned for us.

Psalm 139:16
“Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”

Even today, that’s the Good News.

The Beautiful Eternal

The Beautiful Eternal

What is it that makes us yearn for beauty? In people, in nature, in created things, in music, and even in words, we seek after beauty. Artists of various kinds long to create something transcendent – something that will be remembered long after we are here.

I believe part of this yearning is manifested in the longing for something that always seems just out of reach. One example of this is people’s desire for a “dream home.” I think most of us have a conception of that perfect place – if money were no object and we could have exactly the dwelling we wanted, in the exact location we wanted. Many people would want to be near water; some would want to be in the mountains. We would have different ideas of size and style of a house, but we would no doubt look at pictures and follow a plan that had some objective standard of beauty about it.

Ecclesiastes says God has placed eternity in the human heart. Could it be that this eternity, this knowledge that there is something beyond this life, is the beauty for which we actually yearn? In seeking after beauty, are we really seeking after eternity?

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Is it really that eternal place which is our heart’s desire? The place where He is – where his Presence, his Glory and his Beauty permeate the atmosphere and every particle of our surroundings.

Romans 1:20 says that God’s invisible attributes, his divine nature and eternal power, have been seen in what was made, so people have no excuse for unbelief. We can look around at the complexity and the awesomeness of nature and see Him. In the beauty of creation, we are able to see those invisible attributes.

I remember as a very small child, often looking up at the clouds and being overwhelmed with the beauty of them. From my earliest memories I was taught about the love of God and the story of Jesus and his sacrifice, and to me all that was tied into the beauty I saw in the world around me, especially the sky and the clouds. I honestly never doubted any of it. His creation in all its various forms is meant to lead us from what is beautiful to what is good and true, to what is eternal.

When we look at a sunset painted in the sky, or majestic mountains that dot the horizon, or the ocean teeming with life, we see God in all of it. All of it points to Him.

Lead with the beautiful, because it will inevitably lead straight to Him.

A Return to Joy

There seems to be a lot of sadness today, especially among young people. There is more focus on mental health, more introspection, more “self-care” than ever before, and yet it appears there is also more misery. Even on their faces, there is a hopeless, hardened look.

Approximately 42% of Gen Z have been given a mental health diagnosis of some kind. What is the difference between them and the previous generations? While there may be many things at play, dare I suggest, the counselor has replaced family and friends, and the therapist has replaced the preacher. With intense focus on the self, isolation, and no place for the Sacred, a crisis of meaning is sure to follow.

But what about joy? Is there hope for a return to joy? Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” That verse came crashing through to me in a new way recently as I pondered it. Joy and strength are related? Really??

Nehemiah had just built a wall, a fortress, but was reminding the people where their joy came from. The word “strength” used in the verse has the meaning of “stronghold, a place of safety.” Nehemiah was reminding the people that the joy of the Lord was their true strength, not the wall they just built.

The joy comes from knowing God and His character and nature and allowing that knowledge to change us. If we have that joy, it becomes our strength, something we can build on. We build on materials with strength; we don’t build on sand. This joy is different from mere happiness that rests on our emotions.

It’s the kind of joy that says,

“When things don’t go my way – the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

“When I am struggling and agonizing for a wayward child – the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

“When I get the dreaded diagnosis – the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

“When a loved one is standing on the edge of eternity – the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

“Day by day, hour by hour, the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

May you walk in the joy of the Lord and know His strength for today, and all your tomorrows.

Twice Adopted

Twice Adopted

Growing up I never realized there was a stigma associated with being adopted. In fact, truth be told, I might have gone to the other extreme, thinking I was a bit “more special” than others who had come into their families in the “typical” way! I have to credit my parents with my confidence in this area. From my earliest memories, adoption was part of my “story,” told to me often, and always with the reminder that I was “chosen, loved, and special.”

Along with this knowledge of the nature of how I came into my family, I always, from the time I can remember, was aware of the fact that God loved me, and was looking out for me. In my childlike way I think I understood that things were as they should be, and it was part of His plan for me.

It would not be until later years, with more awareness, that I would learn people had different ideas about adoption and what it meant. I have heard theories even recently about the so-called “primal wound” that is present in adopted children, where the separation from the mother who has carried the child is felt deeply, even if the child is adopted from birth.

As I thought more about it, looking through my child development lens, I could see how it might be true for some, or maybe even most, adoptees. But we need to be careful of believing something just because someone else says it; we may even start to feel like a victim, based on another’s opinion or view of the matter. Knowing you are “supposed” to be wounded, almost makes you feel wounded, somehow, even though you never felt that way before.

In so many areas of our lives, it seems we allow others to define us, when what we need to focus on what God’s word says about us, who we are in Him. Our ultimate security rests in who He says we are.

This is who I am:

~ Made in God’s image – Genesis 1:27

~Known – Jeremiah 1:5

~God’s Friend – John 15:15

~The righteousness of God in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:21

~Adopted into His family – Romans 8:14-17

~Made alive with God – Colossians 2:13

~A new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17

~Not lacking in any gift – 1 Corinthians 1:7

~God’s Temple – 1 Corinthians 6:19

~Beloved – 1 John 3:1

He’s a great and good God; we are who we are because of who He is.

~Michelle Dowdy

Why Go?

Why Go?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Known as the “Great Commission,” these verses contain the last recorded words of Jesus before his ascension, according to Matthew’s gospel.

He begins by telling us who He is, that He has authority over all things, both in heaven and on the earth. Then he gives us our “job,” which contains several verbs:

~Go

~Make

~Baptize

~Teach

To “go” will require some purposeful action on our part, some intention. It may require us – sometimes but not always – to leave families or familiar things, and venture into the great unknown. This “going” is a global enterprise.

To “make disciples” will require us to pour into people’s lives. Disciple, from the Greek “mathetes,” means “learner,” or “student.” Making disciples is not done casually. It requires time, effort, and thoughtfulness from the one doing the discipling and from the disciple.

“Baptizing” in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, symbolizes turning away from sin – washing away sins and identifying with Christ as Lord. It is part of the outward declaration of the inward experience. The Apostle Paul would later write, “For am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

“Teaching” them to observe all Jesus commanded requires us to know and pass on the things He did teach.

Here are some of them:

~ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength

~ Love your neighbor as yourself

~Love your enemies

~Pray for those who persecute you

~Go the “extra mile” – do more than what someone asks of you (Matthew 5:38-41)

~ Hold marriage in honor (Matt. 19:4-5). Marriage is a reflection of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:23-24)

~ Turn from sin – Jesus sometimes forgave sins before performing a healing miracle, demonstrating that He had both the authority to forgive sin, and that turning from sin was a necessary part of following Him.

He ends our “job description” with a promise – “And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Because He is with us and has sent the Holy Spirit, we have the power to do all He has commanded us to do.

May we be found faithfully going, making, baptizing, and teaching.

Why Worship?

I have been combing through the Psalms lately and looking for words that describe how we worship or should worship. We worship because of who God is, and I have also looked for words that describe Him. These lists are by no means exhaustive, but give us a glimpse into His character, and our response.

Ways we worship:

Praise
Declare
Sing
Meditate
Give thanks
Bear fruit
Come into his presence
Bow down
Kneel
Bring an offering
Tremble
Rejoice
Exalt
Make a joyful noise
Serve
Dwell
Abide
Bless his name
Sing a new song
Stand in awe of him
Boast in the Lord
Magnify the Lord
Exalt his name
Shout for joy
Sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp
Blow the trumpet
Exult in your name
Be still before the Lord
Wait patiently for him
Clap your hands
Worship in the splendor of holiness
Make music
Walk with integrity
Bless the Lord, o my soul
Call upon his name
Make known his deeds among the people
Lift up my hands
Praise him with dance, strings and pipe
If you are breathing, praise him

Who God is:

Dwelling place
Refuge
Fortress
Faithful
Great
Mighty
Majestic
My help
Stronghold
Rock
King
Splendor
Strength
Beauty
A Judge
Righteous
Just
Marvelous
Exalted
Holy
Good
Deliverer
Protector
Shield
My hope
The strength of my heart
My portion forever
Glorious
Redeemer
Most High God
Shepherd
God of hosts
A sun and shield
Forgiving
Merciful
Gracious
Helper
Comforter
Father
Living God
Keeper
Shade at your right hand
Wonderful
Healer
Upright
Lifter of my head
King of Glory
Mighty in battle
My light and my salvation
Powerful
Sustainer
Awesome

But If Not

You may know the story. Three Hebrew boys, renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, in service to the Babylonian King, refused to bow to him. They were from the tribe of Judah and had been taken captive by the Babylonians. In order to make prisoners even more submissive to the powers that be, they were often renamed, to strip away their former identities and reinforce allegiance to their captors.

But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when asked to kneel before the golden image the king had made of himself, to bow before it in worship, refused. Knowing the fate that would be theirs if they refused the king’s command, they stood fast. Knowing they would be thrown into the fiery furnace, they said they knew God could deliver them. They knew He could, but would He?

The second part of their statement is just as important as the first. They expressed their trust in God to deliver them, and then said these words, “But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

They knew God had the power, knew he had done great and mighty things for and through their people in the past. They knew he could, but would He do it for them, in this moment, in this time? That was the question, and they were willing to stand in the great unknown.

Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation. You believe God can do all things, but you are not sure if He will. Maybe that prayer you have prayed for years for a child or loved one seems to go unanswered. We know He has the power, we know He can, but will He? Maybe you even find it easier to believe God’s promises for someone else than for yourself, for your situation.

But are we willing to trust Him, even when the outcome is unknown?

The three boys in the story trusted and were in fact delivered. But first they were thrown in the fire – they had to walk through fear and doubt, but there was someone else with them. Jesus was beside them in the fire, with them every step. And when they came out of the fire unharmed, it was a testimony to God’s power and goodness.

The king saw the goodness of God, because they were willing to say, “But if not…”

But if not, we worship. But if not, we trust Him. But if not, He is still good.

Almost Persuaded

Almost Persuaded

In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa, after hearing Paul’s testimony said, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian.” To me these are among the saddest words in Scripture. Having heard Paul’s compelling evidence about Jesus, Agrippa was almost persuaded – but not quite.

How many of us are the same? How many want to believe, want to take Jesus at his word, but never take the next step and walk into the light and life he offers?

Almost persuaded. Close, but holding something back. Walking up to the edge but never wading into the living water.

Maybe at some point Agrippa dropped the “almost” and became persuaded. The difference between “almost persuaded” and “persuaded” is the difference between life and death, between peace and anxiety, between joy and ephemeral happiness.

I hope you’re persuaded.

~ Michelle Dowdy

It’s Eight Days Later

Eight Days Later

Imagine the scene if you will – Jesus’s disciples gathered together following his crucifixion and burial, on the third day, having just heard from Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” The doors were locked and yet suddenly Jesus stood before them in the room. “Peace be with you,” were his first words to them. Thomas was not with the disciples during this first appearance following the resurrection. He missed out, missed the amazing encounter with the resurrected and living Lord. The interesting thing is, he did not believe the account of his friends, and boldly stated, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

In the week that followed, the sweet memory of seeing their Lord face to face and receiving his Blessing and the gift of the Holy Spirit, must have lingered in the disciples’ minds. But I imagine the only thing that lingered for Thomas was doubt. (Poor Thomas – forever known as the doubter.) He wanted proof; he wanted to see the physical evidence for himself that Jesus was alive. The scripture says eight days later, Jesus appeared to the group again, and this time Thomas was there. He told Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27)

Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God.” The evidence was clear, and Thomas believed, eight days later. Jesus said to him “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:28-29)

In that moment Jesus was blessing you and me, and the millions of others who would never see him face to face on the earth, but would still choose to believe.

What about you, Dear One, have you been hanging back, not willing, or able, to believe like the because of some lingering doubt or lack of trust in the sovereignty of God? Is there hurt somewhere in your past that keeps you from seeing God as a loving Heavenly Father? Are you perhaps held back by nagging questions no one seems to be able to answer?

I invite you to open your eyes and see Him. See the scars, see the sacrifice, see the body, broken for you. Seek Him, and in seeking you will find Him, and be forever changed. Maybe for you, it’s eight days later.

~ Michelle Dowdy

A Living Sacrifice

“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:51

“And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.” Luke 23:45

I remember these descriptions in the verses above as a child, from the beautiful Bible Story book given to me by my grandmother. I could see it in my mind’s eye and imagination -and knew that when the earth quaked and the sky was darkened, it must have meant that something powerful was happening. But the veil – the veil being torn from top to bottom was the thing I could picture but of course could not fully understand as a child.

Today, I am filled with awe when I consider the veil. The veil in the temple separated two sections, the Most Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where God Himself dwelled. Only once a year could one priest enter into this Holiest Place, bearing a sacrifice to atone for the people’s sins.

Under the old system, a covenant was demonstrated by taking pieces of an animal torn in two, and both parties walking between them. The symbolism being, “If I break this covenant, may what happened to this animal happen to me.” Thus, the symbolism of the veil is rich – Hebrews 10:19-20 says that we can now “enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.”

Jesus became the veil torn in two, the sacrifice given, the body broken, and the covenant made new.

We are to imitate Christ in all things. Romans 12:1 says that we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Our bodies an offering to him. This is our spiritual worship.

What does a living sacrifice look like? Paul goes on to tell us in Romans 12:9-18, it looks like demonstrating genuine love, hating what is evil, outdoing one another in showing honor, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, being constant in prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, blessing those who persecute you. It looks like rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep and living peaceably with all.

May our lives reflect his life, a living sacrifice, given for all.