Underrated

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3 NIV

Every day around the world people are undervalued, underpaid, underestimated. You've probably had it happen to you. I've had it happen to me and to people I know. Humans can be very selfish, self-centered, and self-indulgent. It's why we turn away from situations that are hard to take in. We believe that if we don't see it we won't think about it, and then it won't hurt our hearts.

But no matter what's happened to us, Jesus knew this pain first hand. He experienced the ultimate in being underestimated. People had no idea what he was capable of. Even when he performed miracles they attempted to disprove him, which goes to show that even if were to perform miracles, people would still be skeptical. We are afraid of what we can't explain or what is stronger or better than us. It's human nature. Jesus experienced it even though he was above it.

So the next time you feel underappreciated, ask yourself how Jesus would have handled it.

Federal Regulations

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

Undergoing a federal audit or monitoring is nothing to put lightly. I've done them for years now and no matter how much you think you know, there's always something to learn or to fix or to make better. One thing is for sure: the regulations are the end all, be all. What they say goes. Doesn't matter whether you read them online or print them out, they are always the same. You can count on them if you ever have a question about what you should or should not do. It doesn't mean they don't change, they do, but not often. When I'm asked a question, I ask a question in return: what do the regs say.

So upon reading this today, this verse was very satisfying to me as I thought about a physical description to liken God's steadfastness too. Our God IS God. He is. Not was. Not might be. He is. And he stands faithful throughout all generations.  He is always there, keeping his promises to those who love him. He is. He is faithful to forgive. He is. He can be counted on to never change.

God is the true end all, be all. Federal regs may come and go, but God stands forever.

Perseverence

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV

Giving up. Giving in. Quitting. These are options that seem easy, especially when the going gets tough. Our academy participated in a martial arts tournament this past weekend. I saw some students just quit in the middle of their form or during a sparring match. They didn't have it in them to finish. I also saw some keep fighting through and finish even if they didn't win. For some who kept on going, they received a medal, even if they didn't place. It signifies that they didn't quit. All their training and hard work stood for something. Athletes of all disciplines know that hard work does pay off if you can fight through the times where someone else was better or endure an injury.

Here on earth we may win a medal or even 15 minutes of fame for persevering. But eternity with the king awaits those who push through what life throws at us. It can be hard some days to keep going, but we must. God will help us through anything. We only need to call on him.

So the next time you feel like giving up, remember that God didn't give up on you. 

Respect for the Master

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21 NIV

Over the past two days we watched as competitors of all ages and ranks put their skills to the test at our taekwondo tournament. Many many hours of hard work, training and creativity went into preparing for the tournament. It's a dedication known to athletes of all disciplines, not just martial arts. We also watched high rank students test for the next rank, and were privileged to watch one school owner test for the rank of Master. Years of training and hard work warrant a respect that's not common among the general population. When he speaks, you answer yes sir. When you ask him a question, you address him as sir or master. To do less would be a sign of disrespect. If you respect him you will address him properly, following the rules of order.

So God too warrants a respect for his omniscience. He is the alpha and omega. There is none other. If you respect him and love him you will follow his rules of order. Disrespecting his law, especially on purpose, would indicate you do not fully embrace who he is.

Respect for the one true Master and maker is warranted. If you love him, keeping his commandments will be easy. You will want to give him the respect he is owed.

All That Energy

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28 NIV

At this moment in time I think I would love to never grow tired or weary. I love working hard and feeling that victory tired at the end of the day. It gives me that feeling of accomplishment. But after 3 or 4 hours at a martial arts tournament, the victory tired is more like victory busted. It's tough to compete and work a tournament.  As a high rank student and instructor you are pulled ten ways to none. You're helping students, judging rings, cheering on your teammates and then cleaning floors or putting up mats. It's 2 days of non stop. And it's awesome. But it wears us down and come Sunday, that's it...we're done.

I'm so glad God isn't like that. He may have rested on the 7th day after creation, but I think that was more for creation's benefit than his. God doesn't take naps. He doesn't take Sundays off when the weekend's been too hard. He always shows up pressed and dressed and ready to work. His omniscience is such that we cannot even fathom what it might be like to have never ending energy. Well, ok, just watch 7 year old little boys...they have energy we should bottle up and sell. But even they run out eventually. God never does.

He is everywhere. He is in everything. Let his strength and energy take you through when yours is gone.

Franklin and Edison

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:9 NIV

Franklin and Edison had no idea how much we would appreciate them many many years after their discoveries that gave us the ability to switch on a light bulb whenever we needed it. We've become so accustomed to electricity that we almost can't function without it. True, there are people who know how to "rough it", but at some point they'll benefit from electricity. Having light at night is comforting because you will always know where you're going. Flashlights guide you. Lamps give reading light. Fluorescent lights brighten our kitchen for cooking. Light brings warmth, comfort and peace to otherwise cold and dreary nights. Just think about sitting around a campfire on a chilly evening and you can feel the warmth permeating your soul.

John wrote about Jesus being the one true light of the world. He brings peace, warmth, guidance, and comfort to everyone. Just like that campfire or cozy reading light, Jesus shines to dispel the cold and darkness. Where he is, no darkness can penetrate. If we feel admiration towards Edison for inventing the lightbulb, we should feel overwhelming love and adoration for Jesus who shines brighter than any bulb Edison could have imagined.

In the aftermath of a hurricane like Irma or Harvey, we get a taste of what life might be like without electricity and artificial light. It's scary, dark, chaotic and chilling. Don't let that be the status of your heart without Jesus, the one true light of the world. The one that needs no electricity. He will shine bright for all eternity. Let him shine a light in your heart and dispell the darkness of sin.

Not All Wine and Roses

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 NIV

I read a FB post from my daughter and then I read this verse. What she said in her post illustrates this verse so well. People were complaining that they still did not have power after Hurricane Irma. My daughter cautioned people to be patient in not having power as some people had lost their homes. She also asked them to be thankful that things were not worse than they are.

As Christians, we tend to think that everything should be wine and roses, happy thoughts only, that always praising God means never saying anything negative. This verse points out that is not always the case, nor should it be. Anyone that has children knows you must sometimes correct bad or wrong behavior, not because the child is bad, but they did or said something that is wrong, hurtful or inappropriate.

We must also sometimes do this for our fellow Christians. Human emotions run deep and when faced with stressful times, our 'Christian' demeanor sometimes takes a back seat. That's when our fellow Christians can step in and admonish us, in love, to remember where our help comes from and to be grateful for our blessings. We have every reason to experience sadness, anger, resentment..all those emotions that people think are bad. It's not the feeling that is bad, it's the action and reaction to that feeling.

So yes, if people are complaining they are without power while the house next door has been levelled, I'd say a little admonishment and love is in order. Let's lift each other up in times like this. Let's help with gentle reminders of God's love