Archive | September, 2023

Security! Se-cu-ri-ty!

18 Sep

Several years ago, my children introduced me to a TV skit where a not too competent worker at a burger place was taking food orders. If a customer asked for a change on his order, she would proclaim it as a “complicated order,” no matter how slight a change. If the person persisted in the request, she would call out, “Security! SE-CU-RI-TY!” It was quite humorous to us, and we’ve used the complicated order phrase and call for security many times in joking around at home.

Everyone wants security. We want the rescue of it when in perceived or real danger. We want to feel secure in relationships in a way that makes us feel worthwhile. But too often we go on a lifelong search for security, when the very source of it is found in Jesus.

The Apostle Paul knew this security of unconditional love and acceptance. In Roman 8:38-39, he speaks of being persuaded, convinced about it.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB1995)

He had come to this belief regarding God’s love for him and would not be deterred from that belief. It was a done deal for him. No matter the circumstances, he was holding on to the fact that God loved him unconditionally and accepted him.

Paul knew from personal experience many of the circumstances listed in these verses. In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 he lists even more difficult circumstances: imprisoned, flogged, multiple death threats, whipped repeatedly, often beaten, shipwrecked several times, alone in the open sea, stoned, in danger from everything and everyone imaginable; lack of sleep, hunger, and clothing; and his personal concern for those to whom he ministered. Any or all of these could have understandably brought into question God’s love and acceptance of him.

Yet despite all this, he was convinced that God loved him. He used the phrase “separate from” to describe the security he knows from this love. The phrase gives the picture of removing oneself from or placing a room between. But Paul states that nothing can cause God to bring this kind of separation to His children. Regardless of the circumstance, that sort of separation will never come to pass. God’s love is secure and gives us security in our relationship with Him.

Is Satan whispering in your ear, because of your current circumstances, that you’re not worthy; that God has left you to go to another part of the house? I can assure you He has not done so. He loves His children, and nothing can change that. Call for Him. He is right there with you in the circumstance. Bask in His love for you, His acceptance of you, the worth He has placed on you in Christ. Receive His security. Let Him be your SE-CU-RI-TY!

Photo by Wesley Marçal on Unsplash

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The Seal of Approval

3 Sep

But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 NASB1995)

What does it take to get a seal of approval? Is it belonging to the “correct” political party or accepting the current ideology? Is it money, the perfect body, the latest fashion, the perfect house, or something else entirely? Luke 10:38-42 gives us a clue as to what it takes to be approved. In these verses we meet Mary and Martha who are the sisters of Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus. These women have two totally different ideas about getting approval.

Martha welcomes Jesus into her home but is distracted with all her preparations. I can imagine that prior to Jesus’ arrival, she was making sure the house was spotless and the food was purchased for the meal. She was probably hoping that Jesus would recommend her for the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval after His visit. I think if we could see into Martha’s deepest thoughts, we may find she had the attitude of God got a “good deal” with her as the hostess. Mary on the other hand just wants to sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to and hanging on to His every Word.

But when the food prep becomes overwhelming to Martha, she asks Jesus for help – but on her terms. Get Mary in here…NOW! Jesus lovingly tells her that she is worried and bothered by many things, but that Mary has chosen the good part that will not be taken away. Mary’s faith has brought the Lord’s approval, not Martha’s works.

It’s interesting that Jesus could have banished Mary, Martha, and subsequently all women to the kitchen and kept them there. Instead, He commends Mary’s choice of listening to Him. At the same time, it’s an invitation for Martha (and us) to put down the dishcloth, and join Him, to listen to Him, undistracted by worries and burdens. He appreciates her work, but He wants a relationship with her more.

And, wonderfully, Martha’s story is not over. When Lazarus passes away, Jesus eventually comes to the home. After initially sounding disappointed that Jesus hadn’t come sooner, Martha makes this stunning declaration of faith in John 11:27: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.” Martha, too, had chosen the good part, the one necessary thing, that will not be taken away. She now walked in the Lord’s approval where her homemaking skills, submitted to Him, could be used for His glory. She had a new reason for living. Martha’s story gives us hope that God can change us and our attempts for approval as we listen to Him, hanging on His every word.

Photo by Susan Kirsch on Unsplash

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