Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 2

Don’t Wake the Sleeping Giant

“Promise me…not to awaken love until the time is right.”
‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am not sure why the unmarried rate for American adults is increasing, but it is. Per the U.S. census, 46.4% of adults over 18 are single.

Some of the increase is due to the epidemic of divorce, where 50% of marriages will not end like they said in their vows on their wedding day. But will end in a court of law.

Does society rush into marriage too quickly?

Yes. Because if it doesn’t work out, if the passion that sizzled starts to fizzle, when the going gets though…we bail out and search for greener pastures.

Marriage is like the Israelites roaming in the wilderness when they left Egypt. When they were tired and dissatisfied they didn’t want to follow God through the hard times. They wanted to run back into the arms of slavery and oppression.

Many marriages end in the wilderness. They end before they see their Promised Land.

As a single person, there are some marriages that I admire. But if I’m perfectly honest, the bulk of the marriages I see are not marriages I would want.

“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are many husbands who aren’t loving their wives the way they are called to love them. To love her more than himself. To deny himself for the sake of his wife. To love even when it hurts.

Many husbands may check off that they are a good provider. But if you aren’t providing sacrificial love, then you’re aren’t fully providing.

Jesus never talked bad about the church. But I hear husbands talking bad about their wives. Don’t do that. Christ loved the church so much, despite its flawed, messed up people within, that he gave up his life for it.

Husbands, are you willing to lay your life down for your wife? What about moments after a fight? Or when you’re shopping for groceries? Or when you are at a family gathering?

Human love ebbs and flows like the ocean, but perfect love is like a constant lake. Which are you?

“For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Now wives, many of you when you read this verse may get angry when read out of context.

This is going to be difficult to write, but if a husband truly loved his wife like he was commanded, a wife shouldn’t have trouble with this verse.

If a wife felt valued more than the husband valued himself, there wouldn’t be divisiveness with this verse. If a wife was revered by her husband, if she was praised by her husband, if she was lifted up by her husband, then she would see her husband as a figure always looking out for her. Making it easier to submit.

The church submits to Jesus, because he demonstrated his love for the church.

If a wife won’t follow her husband, in most circumstances, it ultimately is the husband’s fault. Because if you dig deep enough into the mess, you will probably discover a rotting moment when the husband chose his well being and happiness over that of his wife.

That doesn’t mean the wife always gets what she wants. Because we as the church don’t always get what we want because our human nature gets us off track a lot. But we get what we need from Christ.

So, back to the beginning. We all start out this way… single. So, if you are single, don’t rush it. Don’t wake it up because your family says it’s time. Don’t wake it up because all your friends are doing it. Don’t wake it up because it’s the cultural norm.

Because drowsy people make mistakes.

Look at the drowsy marriages. Do you really want that?

No, so wait for love. For the right love. For the love that is sacrificial. The love that isn’t self pleasing. The love that is mutually beneficial.

Until that time, cling to Christ. Because His love is all that and more.

Peace

It’s Been Awhile

It has been a couple of months since I decided to write on here. I’ve been writing in other mediums, but nothing has stood out to me lately that felt needing to tell.

That is until last weekend.

I lead a group of high school guys at my church and like many churches, it’s church camp season. I decided to go this year. I planned on being with the guys I lead each week. I planned on bonding with them on a different level because church camps have a way bringing people together.

So I was excited for this opportunity to pour, invest, till the soil, do anything I can to help this next generation lean into Christ more.

Then I got an email from camp. I wouldn’t be with my guys that I’ve known for 5 or so years. I would be with a completely new set of guys from no telling where.

The human side of me was annoyed. I had this idea in my head of the perfect week. And I felt like this camp experience wasn’t going to be as good as I had concocted.

I drove up a few of my guys and talked about team colors for the group events. My guys were green. I was yellow. So even though I wasn’t with my guys during Bible study time I wouldn’t even be on the same team during group battles.

I dropped them off to their room and headed to my area. It wasn’t far, but on the other side of the building. I went to the room with my group of strangers and no one was there. I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do. So I went back to my guys to see them and wait.

A couple of hours later I still didn’t know who I was leading. Every time I went to the room it was empty. Great leader Eric. You don’t even know what your new group looks like while you’re walking around the camp. Maybe it’s them. Or maybe them. Or maybe that kid over there by himself. I was clueless.

Finally I met one of them. We had our worship service and I sat with my church guys because I didn’t know who my new group was. After the service it was time to go meet the new group.

I’m an introvert. Change isn’t easy. But I hoped these 4 days wouldn’t be a complete waste.

I tried to learn names, do a little ice breaker, tried to learn a little about each one. Talked Jesus for just a few minutes and then it was off we go to camp wars. Team Yellow here we come.

I still didn’t know how camp was going to go. But I knew I was there for a reason.

The next day was lots of hang out time with the students. I never went back to my room. I was out with the new bunch of guys in the 90 degree weather doing whatever they wanted. I learned more and more about some of them.

Worship night came. And it was like Heaven came down. I’ve been dealing with some things and it felt like God was right there beside me. I know He is always with me. But I wasn’t trying to see Him like I should. But He opened my eyes. He opened my eyes to the opportunity to pour into a new group of guys.

Jesus never said you can only lead this number of people.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh, our camp was about God being the Good Shepherd. But He calls us to shepherd as well.

That night after worship, walls were down. The guys were opening up. I was opening up. In that moment I could feel God moving more and more.

And yet I was going to be content staying with my normal guys I see each week, but God had another plan.

God’s plans and ways are so much greater and higher than ours. I have a friend who always talks about God’s tapestry. How it looks messy and threads going everywhere on one side of the tapestry. But when you flip it over…a masterpiece of cohesion and beauty.

I could not have envisioned 4 days of camp this life changing. And when I say life changing, I mean for me. Yes, I met a new group of guys that I will keep in contact with, if they continue to text me back, but my eyes were opened to never missing an opportunity.

When life seems like it’s throwing you a curveball

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is a purpose for the curveball.

When life seems like it’s falling apart

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬

It may be a way of God telling you to rest in Him awhile.

When life seems…fill in the blank, it may be God showing you He is near. All you have to do it lean in. Fall in. Jump in. And He will be there. Because He’s never not been there.

When you were crying in your bedroom. He was there.

When you were stressing out in the carpool lane. He was there.

When you were in the waiting room. He was there.

When you were in your prison cell. He was there.

The last day of camp the preacher gave an illustration. He sat on the stage and started cooking an egg for breakfast around a campfire sitting.

Then he started telling the story of Peter how he denied Christ three times before His death. Then the first time Peter sees Christ he wondered what Peter was feeling?

Would Christ be mad? Would He not forgive his lies? Would He accept Him back?

But

“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬ a NIV‬‬

We may feel like God is upset with us. That He wouldn’t want to look at us. That we’ve done so much wrong that a merciful God couldn’t bestow that mercy on us. Yet, despite all of Peter’s flaws Jesus was concerned with him. Concerned enough to cook him breakfast.

No scorn. No condemnation. No should’ve’s.

But come and have breakfast.

When’s the last time you’ve had breakfast with the Maker of the world?

So, yeah, it’s been a long time since I wrote on this blog. But a longer time since I’ve had breakfast with the One who Loves me despite me. And I owe so much of this awakening to my new group of brothers. So thank you to each of you. You don’t have any idea how much I needed this weekend.

Peace

Ancient Corinth…Yeah, From the Bible

Bema of Ancient Corinth

I mentioned that I wasn’t too fond of Athens. So, I was looking forward to renting my car and heading west to the Peloponnese peninsula.

One of the firsts stops I was planning was Corinth. Paul visited Corinth and later wrote two letters to the church of this city. 1st and 2nd Corinthians.

As I have been in Greece, I’ve been reading through Corinthians. And many things struck me on this reading.

Divisions.

The church of Corinth had some issues. Various issues that needed to be addressed. Yet, 2000 years later, this book is just as important because we still have divisions within the Church.

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have people following this leader. Or that leader. Vocalizing their thoughts why one leader isn’t truly good for the Church. Just lots of negativity of the Church.

Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It seems we are a society that loves to stir division for the sake of restoration. But are there better ways?

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first stop of our trip through Corinth was an old port. The Ancient Port of Kechries. Or Cenchrea.

Ancient Port of Kechries

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭18‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Next we headed to Ancient Corinth.

Temple of Apollo in Ancient Corinth

We walked through the ruins of this old town, looking at the idol temples, supposed homes and meeting places back in the day.

But mostly, we were looking for something that mentioned Paul.

And behold, we found it.

”But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.” But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom. The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.”

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bema, or the first picture, is where this was supposed taken place. It was the town center, so disputes were usually handled there. Including this interaction between Paul and Gallio.

So, I stood in the place Paul supposedly stood. He was preaching and teaching, defending the Gospel. And all I was doing was standing silent.

It seems like I live a quiet life. I don’t share my faith openly on the streets like a Paul or Silas. I don’t go to the large gatherings in hopes of sharing the Good News. I don’t live my life loud.

I wonder would the world be a better place if more quiet people grew a little louder. But instead of talk of divisions and negativity, the world hears more peace and unity.

I’m hopeful.

Peace

Athens – I Don’t Know What I Was Expecting

When you think of Greece, what comes to mind?

Ancient civilizations? Mythology? Philosophy? Socrates and the Stoics? Wars and the Trojan Horse?

I always love traveling to places with history. I longed to travel to Italy for years before I bit the bullet and plunged into a lifelong passion of seeing places I once thought was impossible except from the pages of a book.

When I decided to head to Greece, it wasn’t my first option. I was going to travel to the cheapest flight on a given day.

Nice, France was the cheapest.

I called my family and they were okay with heading to southern France. One sister who started traveling with me a few years ago couldn’t go, and said she had always wanted to go there and asked if I would pick somewhere else to go. We could go to southern France another time all together.

So, my mom and my other sister picked Greece. It’s been on their bucket list. So I booked the flights.

I have always been intrigued with Greece. I love the modern Olympics and the two weeks it engulfs my television. I have never been into mythology, but I love ruins. I love walking around and imagining what people did thousands of years ago in that very spot I stand. There is something mesmerizing about staring at a piece of marble older than everything built in America.

I also find it humbling traveling to places mentioned in the Bible. I recently read portions in Acts that mentioned Paul’s journey to and from Athens. How he spoke to the philosophers and preached the Good News. And I wonder, did he speak to them in the very spot I stood in the Ancient Agora or around the Acropolis? Was I near the place where he tried to reason with them about their unneeded idols?

I wish I had a wonderful story of incredible feelings of emotions. But so far, Athens leaves me feeling blah.

To give you the dirty of Athens, you just have to look around.

It’s dirty. It’s covered in graffiti. Trash lays around the streets. Our hotel is surrounded by nice restaurants and shops, but as I walk around the neighborhood I feel unsafe. Just because of the appearance. It feels rundown and in the projects of Athens. But much of Athens feels that way to me.

What happened? And it seems like they are okay to the destruction. Most buildings throughout have some type of tagging of spray paint, even if it’s nothing but a scribble that appears someone messed up and just walked away.

I think in life, our lives may look like Athens. We worship false idols even if we don’t believe it. We debate and argue with anyone who disagrees with us. We philosophize our opinions and assume we are always right. We are smeared in mess. And it’s like we have given up on hope and walked away.

But the beautiful thing about life is God hasn’t left us. Even though we are a complete mess with our life in complete ruins like the Acropolis or caked in ugly graffiti, He still sees the masterpiece He created. He sees the potential. He sees the image of us coated in grace and mercy.

So even though Athens hasn’t bewildered me, I’ve learned from her.

May we each not live like Athens, but live renewed with hope and a future. Because God can take our ruins and create something beautiful out of them again.

Peace

Oh, Hear the Angels Sing

Last month I became addicted to a Christmas album, Tommee Profitt The Birth of a King: Live. I kept playing the album over and over and no matter where I was at (work, car or the gym) I was drawn to the Christmas hymns and the worship behind them.

This week at work, I needed a pick me up. So I pulled out my Christmas album and played it. And then played it again. And again.

It may be the end of January, but who said we should only celebrate Christ’s birth in December.

We should celebrate it everyday.

As I was working I listened to “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and I was once again pulled out of my state of stress and dismay at the hook of the song,

Oh, hear the angels sing, oh
Oh, hear the angels sing
“Our King has come”

And in that moment, I longed to hear the angels sing.

Not to sing me out of my pit of worry and inner focus, but to remind me “Our King has come!”

Oh, to hear that sound that many years ago of angels praising God for what they have been waiting for from the beginning of time.

Oh, to hear their voices break the depressing world that can easily tangle us all into wallowing in our own self pity.

Oh, to hear the unity of all creation bowing before the Savior of the world.

Oh, to hear the the power behind their words awakening a sleeping word.

Oh, to hear…just to hear the angels sing.

Many times in worship I have to close my eyes. Too many distractions. Too many lights. Too many obstacles when I need to focus on the reason why I am worshipping.

And many times, I imagine myself being in front of the throne hidden in the masses of angels praising God. I may not know what Heaven looks like, but I try to imagine it. And I know my imagination is a frail comparison of the true wonder of it.

Yet, I’m often compelled by my little picture in my head with emotions of just a little snipit of what I can expect.

Oh, to hear the angels sing…it’s such a lovely thought. Isn’t it?

May you find the intrigue and wonder, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Peace

If you need a new album to listen to, check this one out. Every song…everyone will lead you to worship the Birth of a King.

What is Your Plan for Life?

I’ve had multiple conversations in the last month about plans and goals in life.

A couple were strictly a business plan. If our company is at Point A right now where do we want to be in two years?

Sometimes people do not like to set lofty goals for fear of not reaching them. The failure complex. Hearing that not being good enough inner voice. Wave the white flag syndrome and admit defeat.

But just because you don’t reach your goals, that doesn’t mean you are a failure. Who says these goals had to have a timeline?

If in two years you are farther along than you are now, you may be able to still count that as a success.

The beauty of goals is charting the course and mapping out your desired path. There may be detours, but without a goal or endpoint in mind, you could be wandering in circles without realizing you passed the same spot sixteen times.

I was speaking with a friend when his wife spoke up and said, “without a plan you could end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”

Yes. You may think you are striving and moving forward, but what if you’re not. It’s like sailing. In the middle of the ocean you cannot see land. But if you use navigational tools you can figure out where to sail to hit land. You could be sailing blindly south in the Pacific thinking you are making some great strides, but if your destination is California in the East you may be greatly disappointed when you hit Antartica a week later.

So, making a plan and forming a path to your outcome is essential.

Paul writes,

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly

1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭26‬a NIV

Are you running aimlessly?

Have you ever been lost and needed to be somewhere in 5 minutes? GPS wasn’t working. No map. Nothing but wandering down an unknown street hoping something will jump out telling you you are here.

That is a bad feeling.

Sadly, many people are going through life aimlessly. They may not be running, but they are going through the same ol’ motions of ten years ago without any idea of where they are going.

They may not have a bad feeling, but most likely, they don’t have any feelings. They are just numb to the unknown state of their existence.

In my heart, I think that may be a worse feeling than being lost. Just the lukewarmness of feeling nothing. The dull emotional state of nothing good or bad.

I’ve been told that Hell may not be fire and brimstone. It may just be a state of existence without God.

I wonder if Hell is like a never ending treadmill of going nowhere. Just walking with no place to go. Nothing to see. Nothing to do. Just a state of moving because that is all you know. You’ve been walking on the treadmill with no questions asked for a decade and you’ll be walking for another decade.

We were made to be more than treadmill walkers with no excitement in our lives. We were created to dream, to go, to move, to inspire, to tell, to do, to share, to live.

If you feel like you’re stuck, you may be.

It’s time to quit living your life in a hamster wheel. It’s time to run with purpose and determination.

It’s time to aim where you are running.

If you need help, I’m here. You don’t have to run alone.

Peace

Almost Nothing is Guaranteed

It’s hard to believe it is already middle of January 2024. Time seems to go faster as the years add on.

I was talking to some friends the other day and they were talking about a family tragedy and the sentiment of we are not guaranteed another day hung in the air.

Most times we speak these words during a trial or death with the outlook that tomorrow we will seize the day.

But when tomorrow comes, do you seize it?

Or do you go back to your yesterdays of no change?

Why do we wait until a funeral or life crisis to make a vow of a breaking away from the old and exploring a new dream?

Because in that moment we realize how fragile life is and we are not really living like it’s fragile. We live like we are plastic people doing the same robot moves that are safe and rehearsed. We treat our lives like the directions on a cheap bottle of shampoo, but we are more than shampoo.

We were made to seize the day.

Not repeat the same actions of the last 30 years.

So, are you planning on making 2024 a better year?

Or are you planning on living like you did in 2014? Or 2004? Or 1994?

This can be the year you make a change. Break the boring cycle. Face your defeatable giants. Climb the possible mountain.

I am trying something new in 2024. It may be minuscule in someone else’s eyes, but it’s huge to me.

And I know if I don’t do it, no one else will do it for me.

So, why not journey with me this year?

Get out your bucket list and see if there is anything you can cross off.

You may realize you don’t even have a list. So make one.

Then pick one and focus. Chase after that idea. Hunt down that dream. Live like tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and see how much different 2024 can be.

If you’re willing…you are more than able.

”Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ready to see if this true?

You’re the only one stopping you from fulfilling your God-given destiny. So embrace it. And follow where He leads.

He has never led anyone wrong before. And He’s not going to start with you.

Peace

The Movement

Can you think of any important movements that have occurred in your lifetime?

When I look back in my life at the various movements I can recall, they usually have a common thread.

They were spurred on by the younger generation.

In 1992 the election between Bush and Clinton had a movement. MTV highlighted the Rock the Vote campaign urging their listeners (20 year olds) to vote. Some say this helped Clinton win the election by the surge of new, young voters.

There have been other political movements including the Tianamen Square massacre which was led by student protesters.

But not all movements are political. There are the global climate protests where young people protest to save the rain forest, an endangered species, carbon emissions or other pollutants.

We have social issues involving abortion or marriage rights, equality and racial bias, education and minimum wage. And usually the young people are the ones making the most noise for their movement.

You may not agree with the movements, but you have to agree that the younger generation has an ability to not turn a blind eye when they see something they don’t agree with.

They move.

One of the greatest movements in history was led by a young group 2000 years ago and we still see the impact of their dramatic urge to not remain silent.

The Church was founded by this young group of followers. Many times we picture Jesus’ disciples as grown men, but more than likely they were late teenage boys or early 20 year olds.

Next time you see a group of high school boys picture one of them being Peter, who Christ said he would build his Church upon. Or look for the youngest one, John, who was called the beloved and asked to care for Jesus’ mother after His death. Or maybe James or Andrew.

When you look at a group of 16 year olds do you see the potential? Not for a big future. But a big now.

Sadly, grown adults often don’t start movements. They may participate in them for a short time, but life gets in the way. And then they go back to their status quo of thinking someone else will do it.

But we as the Church should be a part of a continual movement. Always showing the marvelous light of Christ to a darkened world. That light should ignite a spark and blaze until it’s a forest fire. But sadly, we hide our light under the bushel like the children’s song. Because movements take effort.

Movements take time.

Movements often call us to see beyond ourself, and sadly, we are often too self-centered to look outside our sphere of influence.

So we say a prayer. Hoping God will use someone else to spread His message of grace and hope.

But ask a young person who is on fire for Christ, and they would go to third world countries to share Christ love or to downtown soup kitchens. They may start fundraisers to adopt a child in Africa or fast to bring awareness to the sickening business of human trafficking happening in our own backyards.

May we fan the flames to encourage the younger generation to chase a heart for Christ. May we also sit near by and feel the warmth of the flame to melt our sometimes icy heart. Then may we follow their lead and know God didn’t call us to just sit in pews each Sunday.

We were called to Go.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Then after the Holy Spirit filled them someone felt the nudge. A nudge that he couldn’t remain silent anymore. A nudge he knew was from God. He may have been just a 20 year old man, but once again, a young person started a movement.

Then Peter stepped forward…

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And history hasn’t been the same since.

What happened then…can happen again.

May we start to live like the younger generation full of determination and gumption.

We are never too old to live like the younger generation.

Peace

Even If…Can I Really Say That?

There is a song that has been playing on the radio lately. It’s upbeat and positive, which would make anyone want to smile. And even though I want to agree with the chorus, if I’m truly honest, I’m not sure I can.

Even if my daylight never dawns
Even if my breakthrough never comes
Even if I’ll fight to bring You praise
Even if my dreams fall to the ground
Even if I’m lost, I know I’m found
Even if my heart will somehow say
Hallelujah anyway

Rend Collective – Hallelujah Anyway

When days are going well. When the sun is shining on my back. When the flowers are in bloom. It’s easy to say hallelujah.

But what about on the bad days? What about when the sun goes down and the night seems too long? What about when the rain is pelting the flowers and stripping their petals? What about when a crisis smacks you when you’re not expecting?

Can you say hallelujah anyway?

If I’m honest, I’m not sure I could in those moments when life is not going as planned. I wish I could sing this song like an anthem of declaration. But I think it would be more of pleading for God to do one of His miracles.

With all the tragedies going on and the tension in Israel, I cannot help but ask myself, “If I were in their shoes, could I say hallelujah anyway?”

Some may say that is an extreme situation to ask this question. But God doesn’t ask us to follow Him in only the normal, run of the mill situations. He asks us to follow in the times of persecution, when the boat is rocking, when family and friends have run off.

Jesus didn’t ask us to pick up our cross and walk because He knew it would be easy. He called us to pick it up and follow him, because He knew that in our own strength we couldn’t handle it.

If following Jesus didn’t cost everything, would it be worth it?

But it is worth it.

I may not easily be able to say “Hallelujah anyway,” but I hope in those dark times I can cling to hope in those speechless moments.

And eventually be able to whisper hallelujah.

May we all lean more into Him and less into ourselves.

Peace

Bumping Into God

There are certain things I hear that sticks with me through the years. This is one I heard over a decade ago and it still resonates.

How many times have you confused bumping into God with a touch from God?

There are moments when God bumps into us when we aren’t reaching for Him. A loved one may say something that hits us in a good way and we change our outlook, perspective, or attitude. That could be a bump from God.

Or what if you are going about your day, oblivious to God, and then a traffic jam stops you. It causes you to slow down and hear something from God. That could be a bump.

Or what if you are running full force with good intentions, but you’ve left God behind. Life may stop on a dime by a circumstance causing you to bump into God to not make an upcoming mistake.

These events, accidents, divine appointments could be a bump from God.

To remind us, to center us, to focus us.

But I’m not talking about this type of bump.

I’m asking, are you content with these moments, these bumps, to be the only touches from God you have?

Because if you are, you’re confusing a mere tap with a tender touch.

Think about your relationships. Would you rather have your shoulder brush past your spouse in the hallway or a tender moment?

Would you rather bump into your kid in the kitchen at the refrigerator or a loving hug?

Would you rather have your cat step over you to get to his favorite spot in the window or him resting his head on you?

Would you rather feel God move past you or actually experience His presence?

I think we unconsciously confuse bumps into God with touches. We experience that moment that we can not deny, but we stop there. We don’t press any further. We don’t beg for me. We settle for a bump, when He’s willing to give us His touch.

Are you settling?

Are you settling for daily verses where God can speak to you, but are you really giving it your all in that dialogue?

Are you settling for hearing of God’s grace and mercy knowing you have it, but not feeling His loving arms wrap around your hurting body?

Are you settling for knowing the stories of the Bible like they will be on a test, than knowing the heart behind the stories?

I’ve confused a bump into God during a worship service. I’ve felt something that was beyond what I could describe. But instead of taking it one step further, I was content with that bump.

Bumps are temporary.

Touches are eternal.

There is a story in the Bible of a rich man who asked Jesus what He needed to do to go to Heaven.

“And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.”
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Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭18‬-‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This rich young ruler bumped into Jesus. He didn’t want to take the extra step to fully touch Him.

Then there is this beautiful story, when people were bumping into Jesus, but one person touched Him. Can you see the difference?

As Jesus went, the people pressed (bumped) around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭42‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭42‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peter stated that people were pressing into Jesus, but we don’t hear about miracles happening just because they bumped into Jesus. We only hear of the miracle when the woman touched Jesus.

So, take a moment and reflect. Are you confusing bumps into God with touches of God?

I believe God can do incredible things with a bump, but it’s undeniable what He has done with a touch.

May you seek after and not allow a bump to be the only touch you get. And the beautiful thing is, Jesus knows the difference. He knows when people are just bumping into Him. He feels something different when we reach out our trembling hands just for a touch.

And He stops and He speaks when we do.

So may we reach out for Him and feel something more than a brush on a shoulder. May you feel a touch.

Peace