For we live by faith, not by sight.   2 Corinthians 5:7

In his book Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey writes about a friend named Douglas who experienced deep disappointment. Douglas’s wife contracted breast cancer. While in the middle of this crisis, a drunk driver swerved across the center line and smashed head-on into Douglas’ car, and Douglas received a severe blow to the head. His vision was affected, and his ability to read was hindered. He could hardly walk down a flight of stairs without assistance. The damage was irreparable. Philip interviewed Douglas to ask if he felt disappointment with God. Philip writes. . .

“Douglas was silent for what seemed like a long time. He stroked his peppery grey beard and gazed off beyond my right shoulder. . . . Finally he said, “To tell you the truth, Philip, I didn’t feel any disappointment with God. . . . The reason is this: I learned, first through my wife’s illness and then especially through the incident, not to confuse God with life. . .  I have learned to see beyond the physical reality of this world to the spiritual reality. We tend to think, ‘Life should be fair because God is fair.’ But God is not life. And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life—by expecting constant health, for example—then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment. God’s existence, even his love for me, does not depend on my good health. Frankly, I’ve had more time and opportunity to work on my relationship with God during my impairment than before.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Douglas learned to successfully navigate disappointment when you don’t get what you want: to believe without seeing, to walk by faith and not by sight. Douglas knew that God is loving and powerful, even though his circumstances didn’t support this truth.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – When Life Isn’t Fair →

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:9-10

Leave everything in God’s hands and eventually you’ll see God’s hand in everything. I have seen this truth work itself out over the years in my marriage, parenting teenagers (four all at once!), career transitions, health challenges, relational issues and financial struggles. As my grandmother told me as a young man, “Son, I’m good at leaving things in God’s hands, but I struggle not to take it back into my hands.” I’ve never regretted giving anything to the Lord, but I have regretted taking it back. I’m learning to trust the hands—of the One whose handiwork declares His glory!

Isaiah poetically and beautifully describes us as servants of the Lord chosen and accepted by Him. No need to fear or be dismayed, because the presence of God is pronounced and personal. He strengthens and helps His children by His Spirit and upholds those He loves by His totally trustworthy right hand. Jesus died and committed His spirit to His Father so He might fulfill the promises of God—salvation for all who believe and the sufficiency of His grace to name two. Faith unfolds by leaving everything in God’s hands and by beholding His hands in all things.

“My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word” (Isaiah 66:2, NLT).

What do you hold—even loosely—that you need to place in the hands of your heavenly Father? A child, a hurt or an opportunity that is slipping away? Place your fear in the hands of the One whose hand calmed the sea, and He will calm your heart. Leave your hurt in the hands of the One whose hand gave sight to the the blind, and He will heal your wounded heart. Put your financial desires in the hands of the One who owns everything, and He will give you peace and security. Put your personal view in the hands of the One whose perspective is perfect and He will give you clarity.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Leave Everything in God’s Hands  →

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.  1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Am I an affectionate father? Like the geyser “Old Faithful,” do I spontaneously spew out love and affection on my children? Am I faithful to fill my daughter or son’s emotional tank with a warm embrace or a kiss on the head? Or am I so caught up in my own career and needs that I have no emotional capacity to give affection? Affection must be displayed.

A father with affection reflects his heavenly Father’s affection for him. It is out of an overflow of being comforted and loved by Christ that redeemed fathers show affection to their children. When the Holy Spirit gives us a warm and secure hug, we can’t help but hug our children and grandchildren. Eternal affection translates into earthly affection.

“Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today” (Deuteronomy 10:15).

Perhaps you have a routine of kissing and hugging your children each time you leave home and when you arrive home. There is no rushing out the door until you have made emotional deposits in your most valued relational account. Your child is your lockbox of love, waiting with a tender heart to be touched by their daddy. Initiate hugs and kisses.

When a child’s heart hurts from fear, rejection, or physical harm, move closer with care and compassion. Listen with empathetic ears and outstretched arms. Affectionate fathers are up close and personal, distant fathers are unsympathetic and impersonal. Your seeds of affection reap a harvest of healthy adult children who want to come back home.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Affectionate Father  →

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. Genesis 49:33

Jacob gave his dying instructions to his sons as they waited at his beside. They lingered there out of love and respect. They had observed his life and though not perfect by far, it was a life of overall faithfulness to God. The sons of the father wanted to receive his blessing and they were proud of the legacy left to them, a legacy of faithfulness to God.

What legacy will you leave? If you died today, how would you be remembered? These are important questions for your children’s sake. Maybe your parents did not leave you a godly heritage. Nevertheless, you have a wonderful opportunity to start a new tradition, one based on the principles of Scripture. Lord willing, your legacy will start a godly lineage that will reach across the future for generations to come. Yes, your name will probably be forgotten, but what you stand for will be held in high esteem for all to remember.

Perhaps you can start by documenting your family vision and mission. Write down outcomes you are praying for related to your family. Pray that your parental example of character compels your children to walk with Christ. Hold the Bible in such high regard that its commands and principles are lived out in love and obedience. Love your children with acceptance, discipline, training, and kindness. Follow the ways of God, and your children will see and secure a clear path of purpose to pursue.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – A Godly Legacy  →

He [God] chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:70-72

Years ago I worked with a friend who managed two people: an administrative assistant and an intern. But he didn’t just manage them to do their job well—he led them to reach their personal and professional potential. Like a patient professor—my peer became a student of leadership,  leading his team and influencing his co-workers to do the same. As the years passed my friend was respected and looked to for leadership. Though not the formal leader with the CEO title, his passion was infectious and his clarity of vision compelling. He led like he was at the next level.

Because David was faithful to lovingly and skillfully shepherd animals prone to stubbornness—God could trust him to shepherd His people with the same patient care. This sensitive shepherd protected his herd from the hungry lion and the pesky bear—while leading the small and trusting beasts to be refreshed by still waters and feast on green pastures. David led as a courageous shepherd, like he would one day lead as a brave warrior. A leader who loved God, he leveraged his experience of fighting ferocious animals—by serving on the front lines and slaying the giant.

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Samuel 17:45-46).

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Lead Now Like You Want to Lead Later  →

As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Luke 7:12-13

Can you feel the heartbreak in this story? Can you for a moment imagine the overwhelming, debilitating grief that must have seized this poor woman? As a widow, she was already living with the painful loss of her husband, the one with whom she had shared her dreams, hopes, and future. When all of that was lost, surely she clung to her only son, the living connection with her spouse and the joy of her life. Yet the pain she lived with was soon to be deepened and new wounds opened in a heartbreaking way.

Jesus arrived in town on the darkest day in this woman’s life. As he approached the city gate, this scene of anguish unfolded before him. This widow who has suffered so much was grieving yet again. As the young man who died was carried out, Jesus saw the source of their grief, and joined in their sorrow. Yet in the midst of his deep compassion and love for this widow, he said something unexpected: “Do not weep.”

How can Jesus possibly expect this woman to not weep in a moment like this? Wouldn’t you expect him to say anything but this? “I’m so terribly sorry,” perhaps. “It gets easier with time,” also more likely. But “do not weep,” really?

The only way Jesus could tell the woman to not weep and still have genuine compassion for her, was if he also planned on healing her pain and restoring that which was broken. The beauty and power of the gospel is that is exactly what Jesus did and what he continues to do today.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Do Not Weep  →

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Many things in life require a process. Pregnancy is typically a nine month process. Students (with grateful parents), graduate four years after beginning their undergraduate studies! Healthy dental hygiene is a two minute daily process of flossing and brushing. Boot camp is a ten week process of army basic training where recruits transform from civilians to soldiers. Farming is a seasonal process of plowing, planting, cultivating and harvesting. Maybe the most familiar is the lifetime relational process of growing in grace and love with family, friends and co-workers.

Paul uses agricultural imagery to illustrate the process of character development in Christ. He and Apollos were servants used by God to further His will. They were part of the Lord’s process, but their giftedness did not produce the results—the Spirit working through them bore the fruit. Instead of caring who received an allocated amount of credit—Paul and Apollos worked together for God’s greater mission. Their oneness of purpose galvanized and inspired those around them to work together and trust God with the right results. A Holy Spirit led process is totally reliable.

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:17-18).

What are you facing that requires you not to strive, but to rest and trust the Lord is at work in and through the process? Maybe you are on hold, while someone else is deciding on whether to offer you a job or not. If this is not the job for you—God has something more suitable. Perhaps you are trying to get pregnant, but nothing so far. Why can’t you be blessed with a baby? You may be in a scary process—the outcomes are out of your control. Chronic worry only contributes to frustration and fear, while daily waiting on the Lord’s will to be revealed, grows a heart of peace.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Trust the Process  →

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

God has given many of us assignments we wouldn’t have chosen ourselves. Maybe you have been assigned to singleness longer than you would like, assigned to marriage but you wish you were single, assigned to work with people who don’t appreciate you, assigned to a job where you won’t be promoted, assigned to live in a neighborhood with unfriendly neighbors, assigned to a city you dislike, assigned to be a stay at home mom though you wish you were a working mother, assigned to be a working mother but wish you were a stay-at-home mom, or maybe you have been assigned to childlessness.

Perhaps you see your assignment as small. You see it as insignificant. You may even feel like you have been cheated. You may compare yourself to others. You see what they are doing and you think, God gave them a more important assignment.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

To overcome disappointment and even experience joy, you must look at your God-given assignment through God’s lens—the lens of eternity. You must look past the here and now and consider how your assignment will ripple into heaven, even if you can’t see its impact now. When you have an eternal perspective about your temporary earthly assignment, what seems meaningless and futile, frustrating and worthless can become something sacred.

Could it be that your assignment is more purposeful, more sacred, and more holy than you could possibly imagine? Could it be that the eternal destinies of generations of people could be changed because you are faithful to your assignment, no matter how small? Could it be that God has placed you in your assignment at this time for a reason you do not comprehend? Could it be that you will not see the impact of this assignment you view as insignificant until you enter your heavenly home? Don’t count your assignment as unimportant or measure its value through a temporal lens, for you will not be seeing clearly. Look at it through God’s eyes, who doesn’t waste the impact of one of His children. All of His children have important assignments—all of them. There is not one that doesn’t matter.

“. . . the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken” (Psalm 33:11).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are sovereign and all-knowing. You do all things according to your eternal purposes and love. Thank you that my life has meaning and purpose because of you. Amen.

Application: Choose a few biblical saints and review their God-given assignments. Then consider the ways they did not know the eternal impact they would have, but were still faithful in their assignments.

Related Readings: John 17:18; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 6:8

Shana Schutte

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Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. John 17:17, AMP

Some people play church. Their brand of Christianity is cultural, socially acceptable—but not a level of commitment to Christ that invites criticism or an uncomfortable life change. Like an imaginary game they may play with a child, they pretend to be serious with their faith—but they are only posers. Their Sunday religious ruse is a form of godliness. It is temporary, an empty routine. Bible reading, prayer and worship evaporate the other six days of the week. To not take the Almighty seriously is a serious mistake. A flippant faith is a false religion for fools.

Jesus describes the process of how a Christian grows in understanding of their heavenly Father and His plan for their life. A child of God is set apart for His purposes to make them holy—and in Christ they are His holy people. The common theme in Christ’s words is truth—the truth found in God’s word and the truth to transform the human heart. And because Jesus is the Truth and Jesus is the Word—to know and love Jesus is to know and love the truth. Authentic Christianity takes the Lord seriously by learning His truth and submitting to its transforming work of grace.

“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-18, AMP).

Let’s take a truth test and expose common misconceptions about Christianity. True or False: Being a follower of Jesus solves all our problems and makes us prosperous. False. Sometimes the godly are persecuted for their faith and suffer material loss. True or False: Christians do not believe they are morally superior to non-Christians. True. Those who walk with Christ aspire to a high ethical standard, but confess their struggle with sin and seek forgiveness. True or False: The Christian life is predictable. False. A life of faith is a great adventure with joyful discoveries!

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – How to Know if We Take God Seriously Enough  →

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.   Psalm 78:72

Leadership requires the gentle touch of a shepherd and the persistent persuasion of a leader. Both traits are needed to lead effectively and efficiently. The wise leader pays attention to how and when to apply each. When the troops are weary and worried there is a need to slow down and love them through their time of challenge. However, as they are licking their personal and/or professional wounds, keep them focused on the mission, and ultimately keep them connected with their heavenly Father. A person freed up and accountable to God has more potential for productivity. Shepherding moves people beyond their own needs, to their ability to serve others.

This is their best therapy. Help people discover a need, and then encourage them to engage in its fulfillment.

Moreover, good shepherding requires awareness. You are aware of people’s limitations in capacity and capabilities. Be careful not to overload them and burn out your best people. You are aware of the training required to get people up to speed in their performance and productivity. You are aware of what motivates certain individuals but not others. You are aware of how to best communicate with, and hold accountable, people according to their style and expectations. You are aware if people around you are happy, sad, discontented, or grateful. You are aware when they hurt and when they cry. You are aware because you care. Shepherding is caring, so take the time to shepherd, and you will increase the probability of retaining your people. If you drive them instead of shepherding them, you will eventually drive them away, so skillfully shepherd and lead the team.

An effective leader must also lead. Leadership is being unafraid to mark a course, then setting the pace, as the team embarks upon the goal. Yes, you collaborate and define a process, but then you move forward prayerfully and productively. Leadership is anticipating the next step and adapting as needed. It understands the big picture and then communicates this grander vision in a compelling and consistent fashion. Leading implies progress toward a destination. It requires right results. Leaders feel a mandate and a calling from God to lead. They are good leaders because they are good followers of Christ.

Leaders also give attention to detail and understand its value. However, detail does not derail them from reaching the goal. The analysis of data is necessary to make the wisest decisions possible. But leaders avoid analysis paralysis, and move forward, testing the waters as they go. Leaders lead, whether they are liked or not. Their motivation is to execute the plan, not to appease the people. Leaders may be branded as insensitive because of their untiring focus on progress, excellence, and execution. But this is the role of the leader. There is no need for leaders to apologize for leading. Leaders shepherd and lead.  If you shepherd with a heart of integrity and lead with your God-given skills, then you are a leader worth following. Aspire to this level of leadership. This is the leadership style of David and Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the gentleness of Jesus to shepherd and Your love to lead.

Application: Who do I know who has strayed from the flock of God and needs my encouragement, correction and perhaps rescue?

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For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Psalm 71:5, 17

Start to learn the ways of the Lord when you are young. This is your wisest and best investment. Youthful learning is leverage for the Lord. When you start young, you don’t have to wade through the muck and the mire of disobedient living and its consequences. There is no need to stray and go your own way, for you may end up back at the point where you originally drifted from God. Stay the course of Christ while you are young, and you will develop into an obedient adult. God does a masterful job of molding the young into the image of His Son, Jesus. He infuses youth with His spirit, so they become His image bearer. Youthful dependence on God results in an adult who depends on God. Do not kid yourself into thinking that you can change your ways quickly, once unhealthy habits have been entrenched in your life.

There is tremendous energy and passion around youthful hearts engaged with the eternal. Do not despise your youth or let others do the same. Paul exhorted his protégé, Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, KJV). Take God at His word. Depend on Him for your confidence, wisdom, and security. God uses youth to accomplish His purposes.

Even as those older in the faith falter in fear, your heavenly Father frees youthful hearts to attempt big things for Him. Courage and conviction blossom in a young and hungry heart for God. The Holy Spirit is calling forth faithful young people to further His Kingdom. Listen to the heart of your heavenly Father and do what He says. People are dying of distress and neglect in their nutrition- deprived lifestyles. Yahweh is calling His youth to something much bigger than themselves. And you can facilitate their faith with prayer, financing, and training.

Help the youth start early in their engagement with God. Teach them, train them, model for them, and then send them out to serve on the Lord’s behalf. Youth do not need to be overly protected, but set free to think big for God. The larger their vision, the larger their God. So present them with a God-sized challenge. Expect great things from young people who have a heart to follow hard after God. Do not underestimate their ability to be catalysts for Christ. Release them to exceed your accomplishments in half the time. Pray for God to scatter young people across the connected planet. Now is the time to send them out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Start Young  →

Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 1 Kings 3:24-25

A wise process protects. It protects life; it protects relationships; it protects resources; it protects commitments. The process, on the surface, may not seem smart, but time wins you over with its wisdom. It is tempting to bypass the process. After all, you know what needs to be done, or so you think. It is tempting to barrel ahead into activity because the need is so great and the time seems so short.

But even if you are confident of the needed outcome, continue to trust the process. At the very least, it will involve others who need the process for understanding requirements and support of a new role. For example, your work may require a new position to be filled. Will you fill this role with the first interested warm body or will there be a defined process for the protection of the company and the protection of the one being interviewed? The rule of three is normally a wise process to employ. Interview three legitimate and good candidates with the purpose of selecting one.

During the interview process, you may discover new issues related to what the job really requires. You may even rewrite the job description. Perhaps this process of employee selection needs to include four or five other interviewers. Their perspective and wisdom is invaluable, as you seek to discern the most qualified person for the position. These “people” processes need not be rushed so that everyone is protected from unwise decision-making. Opportunity evokes emotion. Process channels positive energy into better options.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – A Wise Process Protects From Poor Performance →

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. James 4:17

As a parent of young children, I find myself often breaking up disputes and arguments. “Don’t cut your brother’s hair,” “Don’t sit on your sister’s head,” and “Don’t hit each other with the soccer ball” are all things that have come out of my mouth in the past month!

When I reflect on these moments, I realize that from a very early age we learn to associate sin with the breaking of rules and direct disobedience. And in part, this is certainly true. But I wonder if this is the full picture of what Scripture means when it says to “put on the new self,” (Eph. 4:24) and to live “in holiness and righteousness before him all our days?” (Lk. 1:75)

Sin isn’t just our active disobedience but it is also our willingness to withhold love. I’ve often heard it said that sin is a “failure to love.” At times, this failure results in explicit actions of anger, pride, and selfishness. Yet we can also fail to love without saying a word or doing a single thing!

One of my favorite prayers is a prayer of confession to God which acknowledges that we have sinned by “what we have done, and by what we have left undone.” I think it’s easy for us to identify and repent of the things we’ve done that we shouldn’t have done. This is how we as parents often speak to our kids: “Don’t!” Yet do we have the wisdom and grace to also see the things we’ve left undone that we ought to have done? This is the “Do!” of the Christian faith.

“Those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty”(Job 6:14).

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Do’s and Don’ts of Faith  →

One of them [a man with leprosy], when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:15-19

My heart can feel thankful, but until I take the time to express my gratitude with a grateful prayer to God, a spoken word of blessing, a note of thanksgiving or a phone call of appreciation—I only conceal what I feel. Verbalized gratitude bends heaven’s ear toward earth while blessing those who hear its heart. A friend recently took the time to write me a note (legible!) of appreciation for helping him with his men’s retreat. The sincerity of his words and his description of how I blessed him really blessed my heart. The note rests next to my coffee pot for daily enjoyment!

Leprosy is a debilitating, snarly and a painful disease from a slow growing bacteria causing a loss of feeling in the arms and legs, along with muscle weakness. In Jesus’ day not only was this condition hideous to the eyes—an inflicted person was ostracized from the community. At the very moment the sick individual needed care and support—they were isolated. So, healing by Jesus was an extraordinary relief for the ten lepers—an event that pricked a scared society’s soul. A hug from a healthy person felt awkward—aches were replaced by joy! Remarkably, the twice shunned foreigner took time to thank Jesus. Love enjoys the gift, but also thanks the gift giver!

“She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins” (Luke 7:47-48, MSG).

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Unexpressed Gratitude is Ingratitude →

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:7

How many times have I heard the word “grace” in church, on the radio, or from a friend, but still not understood its meaning? According to the biblical definition, grace is unmerited favor, getting something good that you didn’t deserve. It’s the lovingkindness of God. A few years ago, after I read this definition I thought about three faces of grace.

The first is the grace face of salvation. According to the Bible, we are saved by grace. We didn’t earn it; we can’t do anything to get it. We have received it because of God’s lovingkindness, His unmerited favor.

The second grace face is the face of ability. In 2 Cor. 12:7, Paul describes a “thorn in the flesh” that he received. There are various ideas about what this might have been, but whatever it was, Paul asked God to remove it. God said no. Instead He said, “My grace [my lovingkindness, my unmerited favor] is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s grace, His favor, freely given, was enough to help Paul endure. This grace face gives us the ability to do stuff: to raise children, to endure something difficult—and to live life on planet Earth.

The last grace face is the grace face of blessings. This one hit me hard as I thought about the definition of grace: it’s His unearned favor. In an effort to understand grace better, I prayed, “Lord, show me your grace.” I expected Him to show me His favor in the days to come or bring my attention to something in the present. Instead, memories of the past came flooding in carrying with them the blessings that I had received and times of unmerited favor. It was as if He was saying. . .

“Shana, do you remember the job you were unqualified for that I gave you? ”

“Ah, yes Lord. That was your grace.”

“How about when I provided for you financially in narrow places?”

“Yes, grace too.”

“I healed your illness.”

“Grace indeed, Lord.”

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Three Faces of Grace →

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

Intimacy with God goes hand in hand with your brokenness. Your desire for intimacy with your heavenly Father will be accompanied by brokenness, as it escorts you into intimacy with eternal God. It is your date with destiny. A broken and contrite heart delivers intimacy with the Almighty. Do not despise your broken condition. Rather, delight in its opportunity for intimacy. You long to know Jesus in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10). These prayers were not in vain. Your brokenness is answered prayer. The answer may not be exactly what you expected. You may have anticipated a smoother route, a paved road free of bumps or pot holes. But the path of personal and intimate relationship with Christ is not always easy.

Most of the time, intimacy requires difficulty. It is at this point of pressure and discomfort that some people disembark the train of intimacy. It is much easier to talk about an intimate relationship with Christ than it is to arrive at this point through brokenness. However, this is an exercise in convenience. It is like placing a “Do not disturb” sign on the door of our life, in place of the “Clean my room” invitation. Brokenness is inviting God to come in and cleanse your life. He stands at the door of our heart and knocks (Revelation 3:20). When you invite Christ into your broken lives, He comes in. Intimacy is then unleashed on His terms, not yours. It is only when you surrender in total desperation and total dependency on God that you experience authentic intimacy.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Intimacy through Brokenness  →

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.    Psalm 14:1

Denial can be death to God-awareness, and it is death to self-awareness. Denial can seem like a friend, but its friendship is short-lived and self-serving. It is deceptive with its promises of strange and unrealistic expectations. Denial causes you to believe lies about yourself and God. You may think you are good in a certain role when, in reality, you are average, at best. You may want to continue where you are, but for you to grow and for the organization to flourish, you need to transition into another area of responsibility. You may have a passion to pitch in the major leagues, but if you can’t throw a baseball at least 80 miles an hour, you never will. Denial is cruel in positioning you for certain expectations and then failing to deliver.

Denial of God’s existence is the worst kind of denial. It’s like refusing to accept a sincere gift from an unconditional lover. Just because you deny the lover’s existence does not negate their gift. God is not too good to be true. He is good because He is true. When you accept the existence of God, you accept the reality of His influence over you and His influence over the world. Denial of Deity is like saying the sun is not brilliant in its illumination by day and the moon by its illumination at night.

Moreover, it is foolish to deny a grand designer behind the human body. Common sense craves for acceptance of God as creator. A fool has to work very hard to deny God’s existence. However, denial’s greatest driver may be the desire to behave badly. A fool denies God because he is morally challenged. The thought of God or anyone else telling him how to act is foreign to his foolish heart. Yet, every day, we all have to follow the instruction of some authority. A fool can attempt to remove all authority from his life with denial but he will fail.

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To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

The writer of Ecclesiastes follows the verse above with a list of seasons, or “times,” such as birth and death, weeping and laughing, and mourning and dancing. He even includes “a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted.”

I don’t know about you, but I usually don’t enjoy plucking up anything that was planted by either me or God. First of all, it takes time, and second, it can be painful to pluck. You know what I mean. You have a relationship or friendship God is asking you to relinquish. Sure, He planted it in a past season of your life, and it served its purpose. But now He is asking you to uproot it because He wants to do something different. Or perhaps God is saying about your job, “Let it go. I want to uproot it. I’ve got a new assignment for you.” Oh, but we’re so slow to let go because it can be painful, inconvenient, and sometimes just plain hard work! But what do we forfeit if we insist on holding on to the old things that either we or God planted in old seasons?

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28 NASB).

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Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 2 Samuel 11:2, NLT

Leaders who rise in their responsibilities at work require more—not less accountability. When someone believes no one is watching their behavior, their behavior can quickly become corrupted. Autonomy is not an excuse for sloppy living, but an opportunity to expand service to others and to grow in grace and humility. If a person trusts themselves alone to be alone, without any moral guardrails—they are set up for pride’s fall—humility chooses to be accountable.

David talked himself into thinking he could handle autonomy without accountability. Instead of being in charge and leading the charge with his fellow soldiers—he disengaged from the action. He foolishly assumed his position and power elevated him above the need to answer to others for his actions. David forgot a fundamental lesson from his days as a shepherd—a sheep that strays away on its own is exposed to life threatening influences. He allowed his affections to chase after the lust of the flesh—instead of submitting to the Spirit. Accountability gladly depends on others.

“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open” (Luke 8:17).

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