Too Insignificant Not To Notice

"And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44

It is interesting how we read scripture and 1), use it to reinforce a point we want to make, 2), either feel good about who we are are or perhaps point the finger at another, or, 3), miss subtle words or phrases that are actually quite significant.

The above scripture is often used to highlight sacrificial giving; or maybe more often, to heap guilt upon those who either are perceived arrogant or self limiting in their giving.  However, there is a word at the beginning of text that I often pass over that influences the entire passage: "observing." Jesus was observing those around him.

If I were in the story, I wonder what I would have noticed (or not).  Would I have seen just one more bag lady, and thought nothing of her? Would I have done my best to avoid her? Perhaps I would simply act like I did not see her.  But Jesus observed her; she was significant to him.

Ashamedly, I often find myself placing value upon people based upon my bias or assumptions.  I see some people and rush to be with them; I see others and try to find the quickest opportunity to part ways.  Jesus noticed people that most ignore; he befriended those who were castaways to others. Maybe more, no one was too unimportant for him not to observe.

Lord give me grace to observe without blinders…

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10b

The story of Daniel is one of my favorite.  You will remember that Darius decreed a law prohibiting anyone praying for 30 except to him; a law which Daniel determined he could not obey.  We celebrate Daniel’s disobedience of the law.  However, it is important to know that when Daniel prayed it was not be defiant or make a statement.  He was in his room; on his knees praying and could not have been seen by anyone, except those who actually chose to violate his privacy. Daniel’s action was not about himself.  Not one time in this story is Daniel defiant toward the King.  This was not about the king; this was not about Daniel and his self-aggrandizement. This is about Daniel’s non-compromising dedication to God. You see, God is not interested in people grandstanding on his behalf.

We see people every day who seem to be making a statements for God.  You name the issue and someone is always willing to take a stand, to make a statement, or write a post.  I often ask myself, are they doing this for God or is it actually more for themselves and their reputation? Many people take pride in being non-conformists or rebels for a cause; my generation has been especially good at it.  But again, are they making the statement for God or are they doing so just to make a statement, to be seen or heard?  We certainly need people like Daniel in the world today; people who are not willing to compromise their faith.  But we need people, who like Daniel, when being obedient to the Father do so in a way that does not bring attention to themselves, but glory to God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

I love the story of the Prodigal Son, especially the often overlooked conversation between the father and he elder brother. The son was upset because his brother received something he did not deserve, thus making him feel robbed.  The father tried to explain his actions, but his words fell on deaf ears.  He tried to explain grace; the elder son was only focused on what he thought he deserved.

I often flounder with grace; while I love to receive it, I often struggle to give it. I sometimes think that some people simply do not deserve grace, but isn’t that the point? Grace is only really given when it is not earned. In fact, unless I actually acknowledge that I am undeserving, I can never recognize or truly receive grace.

Being as flawed as I am, I find grace liberating. Receiving grace does not excuse my shortcomings, however, it fills the gap between where I am and where I should be.  Grace makes me want to be a better person. Giving grace to others allows me to not be ridged or distant; it teaches me to see the individual.  Grace promotes cohesive teams; it acknowledges that we need each other, and by working together we are far better than the sum total of our individual talents and abilities.

Grace is not blind nor does it ignore sin, but it simply does not condemn. None of us are exempt from the need of grace; my prayer is that I will be quick to give it to others.  

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12

I love to run; in fact, I have logged over 2700 miles on my Nike running app.  I have the best gear, including great shoes, dri-fit shirts, shorts and hats, and of course my gps watch (need to log those miles for bragging rights). I enter monthly challenges in order to show those much younger than me that I’ve still got it (whatever the “it” is). 

My running has many parallels with my Christian walk; I have logged a lot of years, have the best Bible translations, software programs, and I still look not so bad in the uniform.  Many people will look at me and see that I’ve still got it (whatever “it” is). 

Not too long ago I was running along one of my favorite beach paths in Long Beach.  I was making great time (at least great time for me).  The skies were blue, a gentle breeze at my back, and the end of the run was in sight.  One moment I was running, the next I found myself laying on the path; I never saw the crack in the pavement.  People hurried over to see if I was alright; which I was other than some scrapes on my arms and legs, and a much bruised ego.

It is usually not the “big things” that trip me up in my faith-walk; rather those least likely things like envy of the attention another is getting, thinking that I may not be getting the recognition I deserve, or others not following my "very good" advice. Before I know it, I have been tripped up, laying on the floor. Thankfully, it is the Father who comes over to me; looking compassionately at me with a helping hand up.  His gentle Holy Spirit reminding me why I follow him; for His glory, not mine.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Are you worried about anything?  Worried about your job? Your relationships? How the presidential election will turn out in November? Jesus asked a simple question, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27) There are verses in scripture that we read, memorize, and study, however, we seldom think about how they play out in our everyday life.  In this passage Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those people who have His Spirit dwelling in them. He urges us to keep our minds filled with the concept of God’s control over everything, which means that we should maintain an attitude and belief in Him in all of lives situations. So, whoever is elected this November; whether you get the job or not; regardless of how the relationship turns out, God is in control.  Do you believe that?  If so, live it. 

Faith is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead. – Oswald Chambers

It is easy to have an intellectual or a theoretical faith, especially for those of us who have professed a belief in Christ for many years or been “faithful” church goers and know all the right phraseology.  Tough times come, I know the words, especially if those times are for someone else.  However, to have faith in all my actions and in all my thoughts, I think that is a more difficult thing.  Are the emotions and feelings I have toward others in alignment with my commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ?  Are the words that I speak in alignment with my commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ? Are my actions, even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant ones, in alignment to my commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ?  Is it any wonder that grace is needed every day? 

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” Romans 1:22-23

Blaise Pascal said, “God made man in his image ... and man returned the favor.” Such a created god is impossible to please.  Try as hard as you can, and you are never good enough, someone is always better; you can never be smart enough, someone is always smarter; you can never be pretty enough, someone will always be prettier; you can never give enough, someone will always give more.  Do all you can and you still come up short.  So in order to compensate for our self-determined shortcomings we begin to make rules to set us apart; to make us special…then we link God to these rules.  The result is that we have a god that is known for what he is against, rather than what he is for.

While God’s holiness is beyond question, the Easter season must remind us that “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  He did this with full knowledge of our sin, our conditions, our shortcomings, all of our fears, and anxieties.  Such a God is easily pleased, is very proud of those who call him Father, and the best news of all, he himself has made us good enough.