bible

Just As You Are

Posted on by Betsy

There was a time in Elementary School when I felt like the least, the last, and the lost. The cool kids’ table had no seat for me. I felt the sting of being at the bottom of the popularity heap. While I was never terribly bullied or completely left out, my low position on the social strata of my school left me wanting inclusion and acceptance.

I experienced some bullying when I grew way too quickly and towered over everyone in the third grade, including the teacher. Because children tend to reject what is not normal, my height (5’6” in the third grade) resulted in my being called names. The one that brought the most hurt was “Jolly Green Giant”. This was yelled at me the Monday I proudly wore a brand new green faux fur jacket that we had purchased at the Berlin Auction over the weekend. I loved this jacket, and was relieved that it actually fit. It replaced a jacket I had definitely grown out of. But the name calling was too much, and so on Tuesday, I wore the four-sizes-too-small coat to school. Or tried to.

My mother, wise and wonderful, asked me why I didn’t want to wear the new green one. I hesitated to tell her about the name calling, so I tried to pass it off as a problem of the new jacket being uncomfortable and not warm enough. (Winter in New Jersey can be frigid, and we had to walk to school. Uphill. Both ways.)

She wasn’t buying it.

I can still remember her words to me that morning. She reminded me of how much I loved the jacket, told me that it fit well, and said that if I gave into the pressure of capitulating to the name callers, I would never overcome them. But if I wore my jacket proudly and ignored them, they would eventually stop.

I wore the jacket and she was right. Only one kid persisted in yelling, “Hey Jolly Green Giant!” at me for a few more days, and I heard my mother’s strength coming out of my mouth as I yelled back, “Well, at least I’m JOLLY!”

Yes, I was sassy at a young age.

I learned an important lesson about rejection that day: we fear rejection because we want to be accepted by those around us. But we should never, never, let anyone’s opinion dictate our self-esteem and feelings of self worth.

I heard a remarkable sermon about a woman who also felt left out. She was the lowest gal on the totem pole of life, rejected by society and worse, rejected by Jesus. I have to say that this passage has always bothered the heck out of me. Until now.

In the 7th Chapter of Mark we meet a Syrophoenician woman whose daughter is possessed by a demon. She came to Jesus and asked him to cast the demon out. He told her, “First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” She boldly replied, “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

The pastor explained two key understandings:

1. The Canaanite culture the woman belonged to were Satan worshippers; this is how the child was possessed.

2. The word “dogs” in its original translation is understood as “puppies”, and therefore they were understood as members of the family…but not the status of children.

So instead of rejecting the woman, Jesus is telling her that her choice to follow Satan was an impediment to her request. By worshipping Satan, she rejected God, yet Jesus included her. He saw her outside of the community, and he felt her sense of rejection. He then granted her request and healed her daughter.

NOBODY is outside of Jesus’ worldview. Nobody is separated from him, unless they choose to separate themselves and remain separated.

Romans 8:31-39 (New Living Translation)

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Hurt and rejection are things that the world gives us. But in Christ, we are known and cherished. There may be a time in your life, past, present, or yet to come, where you feel left out and unwanted.

Know that the Savior of your life sees you, wants you, and accepts you as you are.

We Are Known

So Long, Pluto

Posted on by Betsy

Back in ancient times when I was but a wee child in elementary school, our solar system had nine planets. We studied it by looking at a 3D model that our teacher had made from bent coat hangers and painted foam balls of varying sizes, and sure enough, there was Pluto chugging along in ninth place. Then suddenly my world was rocked in 2006 when the International Astronomical Union had the audacity to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet, taking it out of the place it had held for centuries in our system. How in the universe could this have happened? Yes, new technology and intense study revealed that Pluto was not what it was first presumed to be, but to have such a massive shift in our understanding was unsettling to say the least. I still have to remember when talking to my grandchildren that the solar system only has eight planets. Back in my day, we had nine!

I imagine that this was how the news of Christ’s resurrection hit the Jews during Paul’s many journeys. Having been raised in the permanent solidity of the Law, the very idea that the Law was no longer useful in obtaining salvation must have felt like someone just took a planet away.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians on this subject is a quintessential exposé of this true but startling discovery. We see him at his theological best in these verses, unpacking the complete reversal of traditional thinking about the Law bringing salvation. He aligns himself by identifying as a born Jew then quickly makes the bold statement that righteousness no longer comes by the works of the Law, but rather through the faithfulness of Christ.

Galatians 2 (Common English Bible)

15 We are born Jews—we’re not Gentile sinners. 16 However, we know that a person isn’t made righteous by the works of the Law but rather through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We ourselves believed in Christ Jesus so that we could be made righteous by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the Law—because no one will be made righteous by the works of the Law. 17 But if it is discovered that we ourselves are sinners while we are trying to be made righteous in Christ, then is Christ a servant of sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild the very things that I tore down, I show that I myself am breaking the Law. 

Earlier in this Scripture, Paul had to rebuke Peter. The debate on whether or not Gentiles had to become Jews first before receiving Christ plagued the early church. Circumcision and keeping a Kosher table were part of this issue, and Peter had separated himself from the uncircumcised at meals while visiting the new church at Antioch. Paul was appalled. Peter knew better, but was fearful of “certain men from James” who strongly believed that adherence of Jewish Law was a step for Gentile inclusion. I often wonder if fear keeps many of us from saying and doing the things we know are true.

Paul never wavered in his understanding of the power of the cross. He died to his old life under the Law with Christ’s death. By his faith in the faithfulness of God’s son, he was able to move from an intellectual understanding of the power of grace to a personal heart-embrace of Jesus’ love for him. Much like John Wesley’s famous Aldersgate moment when he felt his “heart strangely warmed” and moved from thinker to believer, Paul declared himself all in for Jesus.

19 I died to the Law through the Law, so that I could live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in my body, I live by faith, indeed, by the faithfulness of God’s Son, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I don’t ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.

How about you? Are you all in? Do you put your whole trust in his grace, or are you still trying to work out your own salvation through ritual and good deeds? Jesus invites us to die to ourselves so that we may live with him. Don’t miss your chance.

Many Moons Ago by Becca Ziegler

Fleeing

Posted on by Betsy

Many of you made nice comments about my recent picture of my writing partner Georgia, so today I thought I would share a Georgia story. When she was a younger girl and her hearing was intact, she was absolutely terrified by fireworks. Georgia is not bothered by storms, thunder, Nor ’easters, hurricanes, etc, but when that high whine of something about to explode happens, she takes her 100lb. body and tries to find the smallest place of safety in the house. We have spent many a July 4th huddled with her in the kneehole of the built-in desk of our guest room. On New Year’s Eves in the past, my husband has had to sit with her on the laundry room floor until the jubilation was finally over. Georgia will turn 15 in a few weeks and one of the mixed blessings of aging is that she is now completely deaf. Guess what? We had the most peaceful New Year’s Eve last week. The fireworks in our neighborhood went completely unnoticed by her, and for that, I am grateful. And by the way, dogs can figure out DSL (Dog Sign Language) pretty quickly, especially when you are announcing that dinner is ready.

Where do you go to escape? When the cacophony of stress threatens to deafen you, when your eyes have seen more tragedy than joy, when your heart breaks with the absence of your one true love, where do you flee?

I hope you flee to God. I pray that you know that in any circumstance, God is a sound-proof rock cave that can withstand any type of assault … whether it be physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual.

Listen to how the psalmist put it:

Psalm 71 (Common English Bible)

I’ve taken refuge in you, Lord.
    Don’t let me ever be put to shame!
2 Deliver me and rescue me by your righteousness!
    Bend your ear toward me and save me!
3 Be my rock of refuge
    where I can always escape.
You commanded that my life be saved
    because you are my rock and my fortress.

4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked;
    rescue me from the grip of the wrongdoer and the oppressor
5     because you are my hope, Lord.
    You, Lord, are the one I’ve trusted since childhood.
6 I’ve depended on you from birth—
    you cut the cord when I came from my mother’s womb.
    My praise is always about you.

I don’t know what is about to explode in your life right now, but I do know where you can go for shelter. God’s power is available to deliver you and save you from all manner of evil, slander, wickedness, oppression, and harm. And explosions.

Flee to the Rock, and you will find hope.

Ready to Flee by Kathy Schumacher

Whenever I Feel Afraid

Posted on by Betsy

An old, old song from the musical “The King and I” kept floating through my mind during the recent hurricanes. As we were bombarded with images of charts and graphs showing the hurricanes increasing in intensity and coming closer and closer, this little song would replay itself. Sung by Anna as she is entering life as a teacher in the great palace of the fierce and intimidating King of Siam, the lyrics are a lighthearted reminder to try to project a brave countenance, even when you don’t feel it:

Whenever I feel afraid
I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune
So no one will suspect I’m afraid

I whistle a happy tune
And every single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I’m not afraid

Make believe you’re brave
And the trick will take you far
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are

The last verse is the best. You may be as brave as you make believe you are. Possibly the success in this lies in the fact that working to project a fearlessness that you don’t feel will distract you from the spinning cycle of despair that would like to swirl you downward deeper into your situation.

Today’s reading is from a time when David definitely felt afraid. The Philistines had seized him in Gath. He was alone, desperate, and very, very frightened. David was in great and constant danger from many enemies, both the Philistines and Saul’s servants. He cried out to God, knowing that divine help could rescue him from any man-made threat. He appealed to the mercy of God, not relying on what he may or may not deserve.

This is such a good place to start, whenever we feel afraid. Appealing to God’s mercy is exactly the right thing to do. David dove right into his petition, and addressed the attacks of his enemies who were “trampling” him.

You may or may not have “enemies” per se, but can you list people who oppose or oppress you? Are there people in your life who attack you on social media, family members who ignore or dismiss you, or rebellious teenagers who are working your last nerve? Who or what tramples you?

Psalm 56 (New International Version)

56 God, have mercy on me because I’m being trampled.
    All day long the enemy oppresses me.
2 My attackers trample me all day long
    because I have so many enemies.

Having made his petition David turned to his God on High, calling him “Exalted one.” This is David’s way of reminding both God and David that he understood the high and powerful nature of the God to whom he cried out. If you were writing this psalm, what name would you use for God? Who is God to you?
Exalted one, 3 whenever I’m afraid,
    I put my trust in you—
4         in God, whose word I praise.
        I trust in God; I won’t be afraid.
    What can mere flesh do to me?

David put his whole trust in God, and it made him feel less afraid. What would it mean to put your trust in God and leave all your fears there?

David now expressed his paranoia over his enemies ganging up against him. Have you ever felt that way? Can you recall a time when you felt ambushed or trapped by people or circumstances that you couldn’t overcome?

5 All day long they frustrate my pursuits;
    all their thoughts are evil against me.
6 They get together and set an ambush—
    they are watching my steps,
    hoping for my death.
7 Don’t rescue them for any reason!
    In wrath bring down the people, God!

But watch what comes next. David remembers and acknowledges where God has been all along. God has kept track of his misery. There is a tenderness in his statement “you put my tears into your bottle.” The tear bottle tradition dates back nearly 3,000 years, when mourners were said to collect their tears in a tear bottle, also called a lachrymatory. Tear bottles were buried with loved ones to express honor and devotion.

8 You yourself have kept track of my misery.
    Put my tears into your bottle—
    aren’t they on your scroll already?

What does it mean to you to know that God has numbered and kept every tear you have shed? For David, it gave him courage. It took his anxiety away and helped him see God’s activity in his situation. Then came this beautiful statement: “I know this because God is mine.” God is yours as well.

9 Then my enemies will retreat when I cry out.
    I know this because God is mine.
10     God: whose word I praise.
        The Lord: whose word I praise.
11 I trust in God; I won’t be afraid.
    What can anyone do to me?

When God is yours and you are God’s, what can anyone or any circumstance do to you, indeed?

12 I will fulfill my promises to you, God.
    I will present thanksgiving offerings to you
13     because you have saved my life from death,
    saved my feet from stumbling
        so that I can walk before God in the light of life.

God saves us from death and saves our feet from stumbling. We don’t have to be afraid! God enables us to walk in the light of life. Whenever you are afraid, God creates space for you. He counts, stores, and records everything about your fears and your tears.

And to know that the God of the universe cares about you makes everything all right. 

What, Me Worry?