Lori Stanley Roeleveld's Blog, page 2

Where God Leads

Christians have a lot of different ideas about what it looks like to follow Jesus.

That’s okay. We follow a real and living God so while our salvation is only through Jesus, what our lives and ministries look like will vary wildly. The church isn’t an institution, it’s the family of God in relationship with Him and with one another, carried out in different times, locations, cultures, languages, and opportunities.

Our ideas of what a life following Jesus looks like are impacted by our understanding of the Bible, our place in the world, the times in which we live, our personality, our giftings, the other believers around us, and our experiences.

Most Christians with an awareness of the world worry about the skewed perspective of us followers in the Western church. Well, I worry about MY skewed perspective, anyway. Americans and others in the West have had the privilege of living in relative safety and for years experienced a culture that had at least a basic understanding and acceptance of our faith. We read our Bibles from calm, cushy seats and that colors the lens through which we process God’s great story.

For much of my life, I’ve lived in the first three verses of Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Thankfully, I’ve often lingered in an abundance of green pastures and gazed out over clear blue still waters. I am a soul restored.

Still, over the years, I’ve come to appreciate that the paths leading to righteousness for His names’ sake aren’t always the smooth and sunny saunters I’d prefer. Of course, the primary path, which must be chosen even to become a sheep in His fold is the Way that leads through Christ. But then, as we follow where Christ leads, we encounter some steep and rocky roads. As we should. The road Jesus walked was no life of ease. He was a man of suffering, acquainted with grief.

Since 2020, I’ve felt a strong leading to listen to the voices of those who live in places hostile to our faith, the voices of the persecuted in our times and in times past. They know Jesus in ways I can barely fathom–me who used to consider it a sacrifice simply to rise 30-minutes earlier to have a few moments with Jesus as I sipped my favorite coffee and read from one of the dozens of Bibles on my shelves.

But like others, I hear the coming hoofbeats and believe those who have faced hostility and persecution are our tutors now.

Where I’ve imagined my lifelong address would be in the first three verses of Psalm 23, these Jesus-followers reside in the valley of the shadow of death surrounded by God’s enemies. Initially, I feared it would be depressing or overwhelminly sad to listen to their voices. Instead, it’s been both a strong encouragment and a challenge to my faith.

These brothers and sisters, who do not court persecution but simply seek to follow Jesus and obey His Word suffer regularly, often daily, and yet, they know the green pastures, still waters, and restored souls Jesus provides even in darkened prisons, even while burying murdered husbands, even while praying for kidnapped daughters. They have sat at tables prepared before their enemies and known the annointing oil of the overflowing ministry of His Holy Spirit.

Those who suffer, know full well that Jesus is everything, even when everything is gone except lonliness, suffering, hunger, and pain.

They know the joy of reaching into hearts yielded to Christ and finding there abundant love for the very men and women who torture them, separate them from their families, or deny their freedom.

There’s nothing romantic about living in countries or with families hostile to Christ.  Knowing that a declaration of faith will cost not only us but our loved ones to suffer. Seeing the cruelty and unkindness of people deceived by the enemy. Going without work, opportunity, freedom, food, beauty, human compassion, or the comfort of other believers. These believers hold onto heaven because they will not see much of ease or personal fulfillment this side of glory.

And yet, they know Jesus and suffer rather than deny Him. Suffer to bear witness to the truth of Him. Suffer so that others will know Him and live eternally, too.

I hesitate to share the gospel simply for fear of offending or of receiving someone’s disapproval. This isn’t a failure of evangelism–it’s a failure of mission, of purpose, of faith, and of love.

Yes, the gospel is an offense but it is also the doorway to life. It is the only path to eternity spent in the presence of God who is love, light, beauty, goodness, kindness, holiness, joy, power, righteousness, and life. Eternity without God is eternity without those pleasures–separated from everything we crave.

Our God leads us to green pastures but following Him also leads down paths of righteousness for His names’ sake and through the valley of the shadow of death. We aren’t exempt from those paths here in the West and we’ll likely visit them more often as the time for His return draws near.

I was wrong about what I would find listening to the voices of those who suffer for Christ. Many of them speak of freedom, of joy, of greater love for others, of deeper commitment to Jesus, of a boldness that strikes light that pushes back the deepest dark in places the enemy thought he owned. Their words have challenged and encouraged me and shaken me awake from where I dozed among the poppies.

So loved ones, NOW is the time to know Jesus. Follow Him. Read the entire Bible again and again. Pray and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Obey what God commands. Speak the truth and serve your neighbor without fear. Listen with compassion, exercise kindness, but speak often of the risen Christ and His power of life over death. Seek less a life of ease and become comfortable with discomfort for this was the path of Christ. Forget distractions. He is our purpose. He is our focus. He is our life.

There will be green pastures and still waters but they are found in Him. When we discover this, we discover a freedom no one nor any circumstance can take from us. In Christ, we are truly free.

“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:13-17 ESV

Thoughts? I respond to every comment and reply to every email. Praying you are blest in the New Year, whether through comfort or through trial.

We follow Jesus down some rocky paths, what do we learn from the voices of the persecuted? https://t.co/HIOMtehnkL #persecution #Psalm23

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) January 17, 2025

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Ghosting Mary

Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

If I’m honest, for years I avoided Mary, the mother of Jesus.

You know, not in the grocery store or around town but in my thinking and Bible teaching.

It wasn’t personal.

Growing up, I was a checklist, abide-by-the-rules kind of girl, afraid of my own shadow and nervous if someone next to me stepped out of line. So, being Baptist as the day is long, Mary created enough anxiety for me that I developed Mary-phobia.

The adults in my life probably made pretty inoffensive, factual statements about the difference between the Baptists and Catholics (the two churches in our small town) but through the megaphone of my inflated, phariseeical need to get things right, I heard “DON’T EVER WORSHIP MARY OR PRAY TO HER OR EVEN LOOK AT HER WITH ADMIRATION SO YOU DON’T ACCIDENTALLY SLIP AND BECOME CATHOLIC!”

So, I ghosted the mother of God.

I’m not really sure how I pulled off this thinking during Christmas when Mary comes up all the time in Bible readings at church but I probably hummed a little song in my mind when her section was read. As I studied the Bible, it’s like I took a mental Exacto knife and removed the Magnificat and other mentions of Mary in the gospel.

But, then I grew up.

We need Mary like we need Simon Peter, James, John, Priscilla, Lydia, and Paul. We need to understand her life with Jesus and let that inform ours. Why?

Because Mary said an unqualified YES to God.

Specifically, she responded to the angel Gabriel saying, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 ESV).

That’s a woman to emulate. That’s a woman to study. That’s a woman to know.

Photo by Marina Vitale on Unsplash

Every plan she had for her life. Every expectation of loving one quiet man, raising children, and following the ways of the Jews faded in the light of God’s glorious call on her life. Poof!

And she was just a smalltown girl who loved God.

Mary is more, though, than an example of a follower of God who chose obedience.

Her life tells the story of how obedience often leads to a life of struggle, sacrifice, and pain mingled with joy so satisfying a follower can endure the rest. She is a disciple who can help us find a way to endure our times.

Suffering right from the start.

Imagine Mary returning home from Egypt and running into a friend her age at the well.

“Mary, welcome home! What lovely boys you have helping you! Blessed with sons, may God be praised.”

“Rachel, I’ve missed you! And look at you! It seems you’ve had one child nearly every year.”

“Actually, it was every year, but two are . . . well, you know. The massacre of the innocents. My two boys would have been . . .well . . . close to the age of your Jesus.”

Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay

Mary suffered from the start. Changed plans. Set apart. Suspicions. Doubts from others. Running from Herod. Prophecies about her son, her child, but God’s Son, God’s Chosen One.

Years of division in her home. Brothers against Brother. The heartache of being the mother of THAT Rabbi–THAT Jesus

And yet, the joy of being the mother of THAT Rabbi–THAT Jesus.

And the agony of watching Him die. Every nail piercing this mother’s heart. Remembering the angel but recoiling from the soldiers gambling for her son’s robe as He bled and died.

And yet the joy of the resurrection! The wonder of His ascension. The exhileration of the Upper Room!

Yes, in Mary’s life, God shows us the life we will have when we say our unqualified YES to Him. Yes, Lord, let it be. Yes, Lord, I believe. Yes, Lord, I am Yours, I will follow.

Like Peter telling Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,  and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69 ESV).

We need Mary because she shows the power and the pain of obeying God, of saying YES to Jesus.  We need Mary because her eyes were on Jesus and that’s where our eyes need to be, this season and every season.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV).

This Christmas, when you see Mary or hear about Mary, don’t ghost her. Listen to the story her life is telling. Listen to her words to the angel. Say YOUR Yes to Jesus. Worship Him alone.

What about you? Did you ever ghost Mary? I’d love to hear from you! I respond to every comment and reply to every email. May you be blessed in this beautiful season. Amen.

What's a good Baptist girl got to learn from Mary, the mother of Jesus? https://t.co/1KOHw8DXUl #marymotherofJesus #ghostingmary

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) December 19, 2024

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Sorrow and Love Flow Mingled Down (Our God is With Us)

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Having just read God’s Word about the peace that is mine in Christ,

Having just made my list for cookies and ingredients for Christmas church potlucks and celebrations,

Having just practiced special music for a joyful service to come,

I turned to face the headlines on the news and in my life–our well run dry from a two-month drought (Lord, bring rain), several women from church suffering impending grief, health challenges, or family strife, the aches of my own heart, and as I write, another country across the seas on the verge of war with a hostile neighbor.

Sorrow and love flow mingled down. The words of the hymn, an Easter hymn, not a Christmas carol, I know, but they came to mind and I can see they’re relevant in every season.

I’m teaching the book of Exodus right now. The foreshadowing of Jesus in the life of Moses is so strong and it speaks a message across the testaments into our turbulent times.

Moses was born to parents who had only known slavery under the merciless reign of Pharaoh. His people, once highly-regarded in the land, esteemed as the people of Joseph who guided the Egyptians safely through seven years of famine, now so feared they have been cruelly enslaved and maltreated. The Israelites hated without reason and spurned simply for existing. An ancient story echoed in our own streets this past year.

God had so blessed the Jews with growing numbers, Pharaoh trembles on his throne. He worships power but finds it as hard to grasp as the asp adorning his headpiece. For, power is a wriggling creature, always breaking loose or biting the hand that holds it.

Pharaoh does as power-hungry leaders do–he seeks control by commanding death. First, he tries to outsource murder with the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. They serve a God greater than Pharaoh so they quietly defy the king.

Image by Franz Bachinger from Pixabay

They choose life and God rewards their choice because He is a living God.

 

Next, Pharaoh turns to his own people, those who fear him as god. “Throw every male Hebrew infant into the Nile.” His people comply. Newborns ripped from their mothers’ arms and drowned beneath the raging current of the water that gives life to the land. Hebrew parents weeping and crying out for deliverance to the God who hears.

Into this sorrow, Moses is born. His parents place him in the Nile but lovingly cradled in a basket of reeds (an ark? a manger?). Miriam watches as Pharaoh’s daughter discovers the child and she, too, chooses life, raising Moses in the halls of the king who believes he’s secured his throne by his own hand, his own power.

Moses, though, will serve the living God and by God’s own hand the people will be delivered and Pharaoh overthrown. The firstborn sons of Egypt will not escape death.  The armies that remain will drown in the currents of the Red Sea while God’s people cross safely through the parted waters to worship Him on the other side as free men and women.

Jesus’ birth came too in a time when God’s people suffered under merciless oppression. This time suffering under the power of Rome, led by Caesars who were also worshipped as gods.

God’s people, always a mixed bag of the faithful, the compromisers, and the outright betrayers, struggle to maintain peace sufficient to endure but in their prayers, they cry out for deliverance to the God who hears.

And how do we not worship our God forever knowing He is so secure in His own power, in His own throne, in His own ability to protect, to deliver, to overcome, that He sends His only begotten Son into this treacherous, violent, hostile land in the form of a baby to parents of humble means?

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Don’t think for a moment that kings did not quake on their thrones at the birth of this child. Kings sense every subtle shift in their hold on the universe. The power in their grasps wriggled like angry cobras and hissed in their ears that a threat was at hand.

So one king does what unstable earthly kings do. He sought control by commanding death.

“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men” (Matthew 2:16).

Newborns ripped from their mothers’ arms and slaughtered in a vain attempt to remain in power because that is the heart of the struggle, not only for kings, but for each of us–what will we do, what are we willing to sacrifice, to harm, to destroy, to remain seated on the throne of our lives? And what will we do when we encounter the One who deserves that throne more than we?

Will we choose life? Will we surrender our crown and bow down? Or will we tighten our grasp and choose death rather than receive the deliverance, the salvation, the light, the life God sent in Christ?

There has always been crying at Christmas.

There has always been warfare surrounding the nativity.

There has always been brokenness, sorrow, sin, and death.

But, there have also always been the faithful who see the light, who hear the voices of angels, and who surrender their thrones to the One who is worthy, Jesus.

Do you hear the angels singing over the headlines of your own life?

Sorrow and love flow mingled down. God heard our cry and His answer is Jesus. We are delivered. Live in that deliverance until He returns and let your voice join with the angels singing the good news:

“‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'” (Luke 2:11-14) ESV.

May the coming year be littered with abandoned thrones and may the air fill with the laughter, the shouting, the singing, and the praise of the faithful who have seen the truth that we don’t need to grasp control or claim power through control that only leads to death. With Christ on the throne of our lives, we live forever free!

What are your thoughts, your struggles, your joys in this season? I love to hear from you. I respond to every comment and reply to every email. 

Sorrow at Christmas? War at Christmas? What is the answer? https://t.co/UmLGGDmpZs #Advent #Sorrow

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) December 3, 2024

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Tuesday’s Outcome Matters. But What Matters More . . .

I care who wins Tuesday’s presidential election.

The outcome matters to me. There are policies I believe are better for us than others and there is a direction for our country I feel is best for my grandchildren and steps that will lead us toward it or away.

The outcome matters so much, in my mind, that I find myself stopping throughout my day to pray and ask God to quiet my spirit. I’ve reduced my intake of breaking news. I’ve increase my intake of God’s Word.

Because, I remember back in 1983 when Reagan was elected to a second term in office, there was a late night pounding on my apartment door.

One of my coworkers, ten years my senior, stood on my porch in distress. She trembled and wept in fear because the outcome was not what she had hoped. She was terrified. Truly terrified. She wondered if she could continue living in this country. She feared for her safety and wondered if her voice even mattered.

This was a powerful lesson for me. When she’d cried herself out and allowed me to pray for her, she returned home and I spent a long night talking with God.

I was fine with the outcome so I was calm, but I wondered if I would have been as fine if a candidate I abhorred was voted into office.

That night, I prayed for a faith deeper than the outcome of any election. I knew I couldn’t muster this faith on my own but would need to wholly rely on Jesus to supply it.

I prayed for faith that would stand no matter who stands behind the seal of the president.I prayed for faith that believes it doesn’t matter who on earth hears or respects my voice because I have the ear of my heavenly Father and can approach His throne boldly in the name of Jesus.I asked God for a trust in Him that is greater than my trust in politics or leaders or earthly powers or influence or even freedom.

That was the night I began listening to the voices of Christians who live under hostile governments. Those who live as I pray I never do, in hiding, under constant threat of persecution, always at risk because of the name of Jesus.

These voices tell me that God is with them. They suffer, but their faith is strong that God is Sovereign and that their voices reach His throne.

If they can trust God for their lives, for their children, for their futures and still pray for boldness to proclaim His name, then I can trust Him and respond with grace even if . . .

Even if my candidate does not win.

Even if my candidate does win and people fill the streets with hateful cries and calls for violence.

Even if people I love turn from me because we disagree.

Even if people with power misunderstand or mislabel me.

Even if there is shouting and arguing (which unnerves me) or gloating and mean-spiritedness (that disheartens me) or division and threats (that distress me).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear for God is with me.

Whatever the outcome, my life depends on Jesus and Him alone.

He is the author of LIFE.

He is the one who sets us FREE.

He is the LIGHT by which we walk.

He is the RESURRECTION for me, for my children and grandchildren, and for any who call on His name.

He is the One who is WORTHY and to Him belongs the glory, honor, and power.

He is the Beginning and the End and He is Sovereign over all that happens in between.

So, no matter the outcome, I will continue to:

Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Love my neighbor as myself.

Rejoice in the Lord always and let my gentle spirit be known to all people.

Not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let my requests be known to God.

I will not surrender my heart to hate.

I will not yield any quarter of my spirit to fear.

I will not doubt that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Although I will mourn if the outcome is not what I desire, I will not be shaken because my life is in the hands of the risen Christ.

I am one of the redeemed and while some trust in chariots and some in horses, we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

This election matters because it is giving each of us an opportunity to remember that our inner workings are evident to God.

What matters more than the outcome is how we respond within the privacy, not of the ballot box but of our prayer rooms.

Do. Get. Out. And vote.

Do. Go. Home. And pray. Not just before the election but the next day and the next and the next.

Then, continue to love, worship, keep the faith, serve others, forgive, rejoice, give, and follow Christ.

Whatever happens next Tuesday, it’s not the beginning or end of anything. Jesus is the beginning and the end and our eyes on are on Him alone.

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, ‘Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (Hebrews 10:35-39 ESV).

Thoughts? I care about you and about what you have to say. I respond to every comment and reply to every email.

May God have mercy on us all in the week ahead and in all the days until we are home.

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When Every Broom Tree is Taken (Finding Strength in Relentless Storms)

Spiritually, Elijah was no slouch.

He wasn’t kicking back skipping worship services because of late nights leading up to Sabbath.

He wasn’t annoyed by the last choice of worship psalm or irritable because no one else noticed that he’d been the only one bringing treats for after service six weeks in a row.

Elijah had the number to God’s direct line. He could stop the rain. Revive the dead. Call down fire from heaven on a soaking wet altar and “the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (1 Kings 18:38).

Yeah, he was that guy.

And some of us are that guy. We have faith. We have faith when victory doesn’t blossom, when there’s no fruit on the vine, when the flock is scattered, there are no olives on our tree, when the car won’t start (again), and the diagnosis isn’t good, and the congregation is dwindling because of youth sports and compromise, and even when we look in the mirror and see an ancient prophet staring back despite having just come from the hairdressers.

We talk to God. We study His Word. We worship. We serve. We give.

But, you know what else?

Just like Elijah, we get tired. And we go crawling looking for our own broom tree, complaining that, much to our surprise we’re just like everyone else, and asking God just to let us come home.

Spiritual exhaustion is a thing. Even if we do everything right (and who does?), we are only human. Made of dust. Filled with the Holy Spirit but still, beings who run out of gas.

And God is more aware of this than we are. He rejects our sin, not our humanity. He doesn’t need us to be God. He is. We are not.

These days, however, we’ve got ourselves a situation.

Because these are the days of Elijah and so all of us are stretched–like stretched beyond what we can endure. And up to now, most of us have been trying to hold up our own faith. And up to now, most of us have refused to learn to rest because we thought we were the exceptions. And up to now, we thought all of God’s plan relied on us and those treats we’ve been bringing every week for after service.

But the enemy is pressing in and the sin of the world is multiplying and faith is waning and storms keep coming and bombs are falling and there’s an election and people are dying and fighting and dividing and protesting and giving up– so much so that when we go to slink off to our own broom tree, every single one is occupado.

Welcome to the last days, people.

No one knows when Jesus will return. Could be a century away. But it’s not going to get easier. I believe the Bible and Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

We need a better plan than coasting on a spiritual diet of phoning in worship, skipping daily Bible reading, single-word prayers, and loving our neighbor from afar when it’s convenient for us. It’s time to dig in or we won’t have the strength. God is giving us the training we need for what’s next. Will we lean into it or binge our favorite show to get through?

If you haven’t already, now is the day to go all in. Or, as Elijah told the people, ““How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

Elijah went from faith enough to call down fire to failing enough to fall on his face and wish he were dead in a heartbeat. Certainly, an aspect of that exhaustion was unavoidable but I have to think that one clue to his broom tree depression was thinking he was alone, the single prophet remaining who was faithful to God.

I’ve met a lot of those lone prophets in my time. Sometimes, I’ve been one, to my shame. It comes from imagining I’m the only one getting it right. From keeping myself so busy with ministry and important assignments I don’t sit on a porch with another brother or sister and cry or laugh together. I wave at them after worship but I don’t go deep. I don’t take time to discover they’re seeing what I’m seeing, struggling with what I face (and more), wrestling with the same giant truths about God and realities of life on our planet.

Sometimes it’s because I’m busy. Other times it’s because I’m afraid. Afraid to stop. Afraid to be vulnerable. Afraid to find out I’m wrong about some things. Afraid for someone else to see who I am.

We have got to get over ourselves, loved ones. Or we won’t survive this next phase.

This temptation to pull away from others is from the pits of hell. Resist it. If you have faith in God, have faith enough to trust Him when He says He wants us to be family to one another–and not distant cousins–brothers, sisters, friends. If you don’t love your brother, you’re no friend of God says John by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. End of story.

Jude warned us and gave us instruction. What can I add? Nothing. Do this:

“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Doxology To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” Jude 17-25 esv.

Forget that broom tree. Take shelter with the oaks of righteousness–your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Don’t weather the storm alone. That’s an order. Selah.

I respond to every comment and reply to every email. Really. I do. It’s my great joy to hear from you!!!

If you need help connecting with others, consider my book The Art of Hard Conversations. It has actual practical and biblical help for interacting with others inside and outside the family of God.

Want a book to study with others? My newest, Graceful Influence, is becoming a favorite with women’s groups. It gets conversation flowing.

 

When every broom tree is already taken. #spiritualexhaustion #bodyofchrist https://t.co/4Q64vOoXV1

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) October 9, 2024

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Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

I clicked without thinking.

The seller had beautiful wares. I thought they would be ideal for Christmas.

I didn’t research. I didn’t pray. I didn’t heed that little voice telling me to wait.

I clicked.

Of course, it was a disaster. Several emails (and fervant prayers) later, I’ve been promised a full refund I’m waiting to materialize in my payment service.

This is not a feeling I enjoy but it’s one I have too often. Regret. Chumpdom. All because I clicked too quick.

Our world moves fast. Our God is slow. We should take the hint–not the bait!

God is slow to anger. (Exodus 34:6)Jacob determined to travel slowly for the sake of his children and nursing flocks. (Genesis 33:13).Moses was slow of speech. (Exodus 4:10)The wise are slow to anger. (Proverbs 14:29)Sometimes our vision is slow to be realized but we are wise to wait. (Habakkuk 2:3)God call His people to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger. (James 1:19)The Lord seems slow to return but Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Our world, our situations, our moods, our opinions, and our lives move at lightning speed. Breaking news seems to come at every hour. That baby you rocked is chasing after children of her own. Yesterday you agonized over a blemish in the mirror but now the face staring back is wrinkled and the hair is gray.

When my adult children sit for a moment to chat but then rise too quickly to carry on their day, my heart says tarry, stay awhile, pause here with me because whatever it is can wait, don’t you see?

But then, alone, I hear the Spirit of the Lord whisper those words to me as I close my Bible too quickly and rush my prayers so I can be about my day. I glance over my shoulder to see Him pat the chair beside Him and invite me into His.

To love is to linger, to dwell, to abide.

Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23 esv).

So, here’s my best counsel this week, to combat the stress, the fear, the noise, the rush of a world exploding in our hands: Slow your roll.

Let your walk with Jesus be a stroll this week.

Fall behind with the news, the laundry, the headlines, the status updates, and the to-do list.

Linger over a meal. Tarry with your coffee reading your Bible. Dawdle with a friend and listen to the wind blow the tops of the trees.

Exhale.

Let your life reflect the slowness of God. Resist the quick click and embrace the plodding prayer.

Take in the view.

Watch a spider spin a web.

Listen for the birds.

Let others pass you by, leave you behind, win the race without noticing you’ve dropped out.

Be a straggler.

Think a long thought.

Feel your soul expand.

If God moves slowly, it only makes sense you’ll find Him there at the back of the line, letting others go first.

What’s the hurry? After all, we do have forever.

What do you do to slow down? I respond to every comment and reply to every email. And, I pray for each of you always. Be sure to write.

Life coming at you fast? Slow your roll. https://t.co/2Ad8rLaiRr #slowdown #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) September 19, 2024

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Are You Prepared for the Pressure of Little Rooms? (Freedom isn’t Lost through Big Speeches on Public Stages)

 

Readers of the Bible, students of history, observers of culture you’re not imagining things.

There is a dangerous crossroads rapidly approaching on our horizon. Personal freedom is on the surgical table and its vital signs aren’t promising.

Worse. Some of the team assigned to protect freedom’s life, hovering around the body, well, they are lying—and likely believing lies they’ve sold in bulk at discount rates.

And yet we foolishly believe it’s essential right now to spend hours watching screens waiting for someone to tell us what to think or listening to carefully curated speeches delivered from great stages to adoring crowds hoping someone finally makes sense all the time.

Stop. Just stop. We need to open our eyes and pay close attention.

History is full of great speeches. Freedom isn’t won or lost because one orator moved a crowd.

No. Freedom is sold off in smaller parcels. It’s defended by inches and decisions so small we barely know we’re making them.

Most days we give it away with an extra serving of our souls—usually during private conversations in little rooms.

Back rooms.

Bedrooms.

Conference rooms.

Dining rooms.

Medical exam rooms.

Voting booths.

Church offices.

Interrogation rooms.

Therapy centers with comfy chairs.

Have you been in these rooms lately?

I have.

I have sat with lovely people. People who probably adore their pets, donate to St. Jude’s, play pickleball on weekends, and know all the right things to say in polite company.

We’ve smiled at one another across conference tables or interview desks and without missing a beat they’ve attacked my faith, pressured me to conform, tried to shame me for being me.

“We’d love to have you on board with us. You’re our top candidate. We wonder, though, what is your plan for keeping your faith from interfering with doing your job?”

“The promotion is yours. Your communication skills and experience are exactly what we need to help us tell our story. It would, of course, require you to pull back on your ‘other’ writing. I’m sure that won’t be an issue, will it? The salary here is quite good.”

“We’re heard you’re not yet quite on board with our new terminology. Here is a list of replacement words for problematic language. What exactly is the barrier to using it?”

I’ve heard from others who have sat in little rooms. I have other stories of my own waiting to be told. In some rooms, there are no smiles. Questions aren’t asked. Accusations are calmly presented as facts.

“Your LGBTQ views present a danger to others.” “What does anyone know of my views?” “Oh, we know them, all right.”

“Just knowing you’re an evangelical Christian struck fear in other staff. Doesn’t that concern you?” “Well, sure, but not the way you think it should.”

“It’s a simple enough procedure. No one will even know and won’t it just solve everything?” “I’m not sure. Can I have time to think.” Glances at clock. “Really, why do you need time to think. You’re here now. I’ll send someone in with papers.”

“You really need to get on board with the recommendation of the professionals who have spoken with your child. You certainly don’t want to risk losing your right to be involved in her care, would you?” “I’d like a few moments to speak with my daughter.” “We’re not sure that’s the safest thing for your daughter right now.” “I’m sorry, what?”

“One of your coworkers has complained that you read your Bible at your desk.” “I study it during my lunch hour. One staff member has been reading racy sections of their newest novel aloud to others.” “Do you wish to register a complaint?” “Well, no, I’m just pointing out that I should be free to read what I choose.” “Sadly, that’s not the cooperative attitude I was hoping to find. Your supervisor has mentioned you can be difficult at times.” “Difficult? When have I been difficult.” “Perhaps you need some retraining if you don’t even see the problem.” “This is America.” “Exactly. See. Now you’re showing some awareness. This is America so we don’t force our faith on anyone.” “That’s not what I’m doing.” “Sigh. I see you’re choosing to be a problem.”

“I realize you have other views about this but while you’re working for us, you’ll need to leave those views at home.” “But this would violate my faith.” “Your faith has no place here. This is public space.”

“Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”
― George Orwell, 1984We make incremental compromises in little rooms with few witnesses. And in this way, freedom is lost, not only for ourselves but for generations to come.

The people in these rooms come armed with new language only they define, with full confidence you are either in the wrong or in need of reeducation, with shame, superiority, and condescending smiles that appear whenever you respond with the wrong answer—which is most of the time.

Initially, I wasn’t equipped for these rooms. I thought the world was a different place. I thought I understood it. I believed the freedom I enjoy was a guarantee for the next generation.

I was mistaken.

My desire to please people and my wrong understanding of how things are now playing out initially sent me into conflict and confusion in these rooms but they were a training ground for me and they are for others who quietly tell their stories.

Are you ready for all the little rooms in your future?

The Bible is where we become equipped.

As long as our minds are steeped in truth, our souls surrendered to Christ, and our spirits in tune with the Holy Spirit, we are free with a freedom no one can violate.

But we must go after this with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.

In searching the Bible, I began to see that there have always been little rooms where plots were hatched, souls were sold, and people of faith were pressured to conform or compromise. But I also learned the strategies to survive these little rooms.

History, too, tells this story. The history of the church. The history of the world.

And as I’ve listened to the voices of persecuted Christians living under communist or socialist regimes, I’ve learned. They are excellent tutors if we only take the time to hear. They will tell us that God is also in these rooms and we can walk out with our souls (if not always with our jobs or our earthly freedom).

Why did I imagine this would never be our battle here? And yet it is here and it is coming. For we are God’s people and this world is not our home.

We can survive because while there are these little rooms, like the one where Judas sold Jesus to the religious leaders of the day, there are also still rooms that equip our souls.

Private prayer rooms where we read God’s Word, listen, and pray.

Living rooms and church parlors where small groups gather and study the Bible together.

Sanctuaries where God’s Word is preached and God’s people unite in worship.

NOW is the time to increase the hours we spend in THESE rooms.

NOW is the time to consume, not 24-hour news, but sixty-six books of wisdom, power, and light until it seeps from our pores and transforms our minds.

“You are a slow learner, Winston.”
“How can I help it? How can I help but see what is in front of my eyes? Two and two are four.”
“Sometimes, Winston. Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are all of them at once. You must try harder. It is not easy to become sane.” ― George Orwell, 1984Am I being dramatic?

I am not.

Plans and decisions and agendas are at work in thousands of little rooms even now.

When the Pharisees and rulers determined to put Jesus to death, they feared the people and so, wouldn’t make their moves in public.

Instead, they conspired in little rooms. People compromised in those rooms. Sold out in those rooms. Surrendered in those rooms until the same crowd that cried Hosanna then cried Crucify!

People haven’t changed and those little rooms are still in use.

God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We are equipped but we must learn to avail ourselves of what God has provided.

Now. Now. Now.

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” ― George Orwell, 1984Don’t imagine you won’t be one whose love grows cold in these times. We must tend the fire, make our hearts hospitable to the Holy Spirit and our minds steeped with truth so that love survives those little rooms.

Jesus has gone on ahead to prepare rooms for us so we have a future and a hope. But there are other rooms to face now and He is with us there, too.

Or do you think it was a coincidence He told the first disciples to wait for power and so they gathered in the Upper Room?

The danger lurks in tiny rooms with few witnesses but there are also tiny rooms where we find power to persevere. Abide there.

I welcome your comments! I respond to every comment and reply to every email!

Are you prepared to survive all the little rooms where freedom is sold off in parcels? https://t.co/lVJixd0qHf #freedom #Christianlife

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) August 15, 2024

The post Are You Prepared for the Pressure of Little Rooms? (Freedom isn’t Lost through Big Speeches on Public Stages) appeared first on Lori Roeleveld.

The Lie We Tell Ourselves that Stunts Our Growth

We tell ourselves we don’t like change, but that’s a lie.

We love change. We crave change. We seek it on every level.

We want to weigh less, make more, smell better, increase our stamina, drive newer cars, preach to bigger crowds, build bigger muscles, improve the economy, stop corruption and injustice, and escape 100% humidity.

We want our candidate to win office even if it means upheaval. We want our family to expand even knowing new spouses and babies will change our current dynamics. We want to find that one who will love us forever even knowing we’ll have to move or make adjustments in lifestyle. We want our wandering loved ones to return to Jesus and our neighbors to stop mowing their lawns on Saturday mornings before 7.

We want the change we want.

It’s other change we don’t like.

Unexpected change. Change that is forced upon us. Uncomfortable or disorienting change. Change that comes with age, illness, the other person’s candidate, or waiting rooms with plastic chairs. Change those other people create.

Most of us are very much like children when it comes to change. Not in that childlike trust that Jesus encourages but like those tantrum throwing toddlers who go viral on social media. I see it in myself all the time.

When I was young, I wanted my nose to change. It turned up on the end too much for me. Apparently I thought if I could make that little adjustment, my face would be just perfect (??). So, every night I prayed for a different-looking nose and fell asleep using my finger to repeatedly push down the tip of my nose.

Children want their straight hair to be curly and their curly hair to be straight. They want to be taller instead of shorter, the older brother instead of the baby, blond rather than brunette.

As we grow, we don’t get too much better at being content with ourselves but the changes we seek are often impossible and silly. When I began my speaking ministry to women years ago, I tried to change myself from being a sensible shoe girl to a high-heel comfortable woman.

When I was a teen, forming my fashion sense, I was keenly aware of a famine in Ethiopia and a devastating earthquake in Nicaruagua. Focusing on footwear seemed indulgent. I decided I only needed one pair of nice shoes for Sundays (brown flats) and a pair of sneakers for everyday.

Why I suddenly imagined that when God gave me a calling to speak His Word to women, it included new shoes, I’ll never fathom. I practiced in heels for weeks. I wasn’t trying to be impressive in them, but was rather hoping not to distract any listeners from the message with my footwear. 

Not long into this process, one-thousand pounds of sheetrock tipped over in our hallway and crushed my left foot. It healed but it’s sensible shoes for me for life.

When it happened, I felt God speaking to me about how I decide what needs to change about me. He made me aware through His Word and prayer that there were, in fact, things within me that needed to change as I began this ministry but it had nothing to do with high heels.

Isn’t that the way of change? When we are immature, we imagine there is power in changing the things WE don’t like about ourselves but when God or others confront us on things that bother THEM about us, we resist.

The problem with that is that God knows exactly how we should change in order to better resemble the idea He had when He created us. You see, God had an idea and it was you (and another idea was me). He loved that idea so much, He gave us life and chose a time and place for us to enter this world.

Now, immediately the world began messing with the idea of who we are meant to be. Our sin, the sins of others, and living in a sinful world dumped a bunch of other goop on top of this wonderful idea. When we come to Christ, He does the work of scraping all that off and unearthing the original plan for us. We need to be careful to let Him guide this work because only He knows what needs to stay and which needs to go. Turns out, my passion for Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and other speculative entertainments isn’t as much a problem for Jesus as my selfishness, envy, and greed.

When I studied karate in my forties, initially I thought I would never achieve black belt status because I’m overweight and uncoordinated. I have tried to change those things about me without lasting success. Not long into the process, I understood from my instructor that those problems might bother me but they weren’t what stood in the way of my progress.

What I actually needed to change was my distaste for hard work, my reluctance to practice, my willingness to look foolish and even fail at times in order to learn, and my devotion to my own pride. Those weren’t changes I was seeking but when I embraced them, this overweight, uncoordinated karate student succeeded in earning her black belt.

The enemy of our souls is always holding up funhouse mirrors inviting us to devote the lion’s share of our time, attention, and resources to changing ourselves in ways that won’t matter at the end of the day. He knows if we’re busy making those changes, we’ll never look deeply enough into the mirror of God’s Word to make ourselves available for the changes God wants us to make because they lead to growth and have benefits into eternity.

God built change into the design. We see it in His creation on every level. He is the unchanging One. All else is engineered with an element of change. The key is seeking HIS counsel on what changes to make.

Save yourself the hundreds of dollars you’re tempted to spend on products to make changes the world says will improve your appearance, social acceptance, and well-being.

Get to Jesus and seek the change that will bring out the YOU He imagined before the dawn of time. Resist any change based on lies and insist on only changing to align with your Creator’s loving, eternal, beautiful truth.

Thoughts? I love to read your comments! Talk back! I respond to every comment and reply to every email. Reach out!

Does change scare you? That's not true. We all LOVE change. That's the problem! https://t.co/J53NqpINZY #timeforchange #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) July 11, 2024

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Who Told You That You Were Naked?

It’s an ancient story but it could just as easily be tomorrow’s headline.

Two related individuals listen to a crafty neighbor rather than their trusted friend.As a result, they buy into a deception thinking what they gain will make them like God but end up blowing up their lives, taking others down with them.Details at 11.

I keep running into the story of Adam and Eve (in my Bible, in social media, in books I’m reading, in my relationships, in my mirror) and I’m struck with how little has changed.

There is an all-powerful, creative, loving, beautiful, truthful, holy, merciful, compassionate, kind God who adores us. In fact, He designed us FOR Himself to know and enjoy Him forever.

He offers us eternal life, abundant life, light, direction, healing, forgiveness, truth, and friendship.

Instead, we shop the Internet for snake oil, click on the strange reptile, and listen as he convinces us that same generous God is withholding the best from us. Then we peddle the same poison to our friends.

When it turns out God was right, instead of running to Him for help with our mess, we hide.

He is so loving–He actually comes looking for us. And He rightly asks, “Who told you that you were naked?”

In other words, who else are you listening to? (Yes, I think sometimes God ends His sentences with a preposition because He’s more concerned with communicating clearly than being legalistic about grammar. You may disagree. Peace in the valley.)

I know the frustration of offering wise counsel to someone only to have others override my advice.

Once upon a time, I met weekly with a young mom for parenting education. She’d decide her family goals for that week and we’d discuss a strategy to meet those goals. Week after week I returned to discover she’d abandoned those strategies for other ideas.

Finally, I wised up and asked, “Who told you to abandon those strategies?”

Turns out, a couple of other floundering moms thought my counsel was a bunch of hooey and when they discussed it at the bus stop each week, they counseled other ideas. Those other ideas were going to take this woman straight to family court if we didn’t work it out so I started having my meetings with this mom at the bus stop and she invited her friends into the conversation.

The result? She began to see the wisdom of my strategies because I was able to ask her friends about their situations. Two were already in family court.

What I’ve learned, though, is that God has the same trouble with me that I had with that mother.

This isn’t something I could see in myself so He keeps sending me the story of the day we lost Eden.

And I keep hearing these same four questions (the following conversation is strictly fictional and for illustrative purposes only except for the actual Bible references. It should not be confused with God’s actual words (except the Bible references) and I have no plans to start a new devotional series titled “Jesus Asking.”):

God: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)

Me: Um, hanging out in Anxiety Alley. Shopping for snake oil at the corner of Confusion Court and Deception Drive. Bargaining for sufficient cover for my failings over in Justification County.

God: ““Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11)

Me: Well, didn’t you see that awful Facebook meme that made reading my Bible sound kind of archaic? And, my friend who is deconstructing showed me some statistics and a chart that made me wonder if I only believe what I believe because I grew up on Main Street. The news is full of anxiety-provoking stories and even though you say not to fret, well, how can I now. And, just the other day I was even telling myself . . .

God: “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:11)

Me: Like literally or figuratively because, I’ve been doing this keto diet and I’m sure that fruit is pretty restricted, so . . .

God: Lori.

Me: No, I get. I have been listening to a lot of unwise counsel, mostly because I thought I could handle it better than less mature Christians, but okay, now I see thinking is pretty steeped in pride and okay, I can see where You’re going with this line of questioning. Now that I follow this thought thread back to its origin, I have been listening more to people who deny you or ignore you than I have been listening to You. 

God: “What is this that you have done?” (Genesis 3:13)

Me: Managed to wander into the wrong end of town and doubt that You will supply everything good that I need because I listened to the wrong voices.

God: I love you. There’s no reason to hide.

Me: Besides the fact that you can see through things.

God: There’s that.

So now, whenever I catch myself wandering the wrong streets in my heart or mind, I hear God ask, “Who told you that you were naked?” In other words, where are you getting your information and why are following a path of thinking that leads to shame?

I’ve started asking other people this question. Well, not EXACTLY that question because then conversations would be awkward. Instead, I ask, “Where did you get that information?” or “Who told you that?” or “Where is that thinking coming from? When did it begin?”

In fact, I look in the mirror and ask those questions. I challenge my own thinking to be sure I’m not just repeating a story to myself I heard down at the snake oil market.

God says to take every thought captive but they’re wily, wriggly critters, aren’t they? The wrong thinking can worm its way into our frontal cortex faster than you can say, “Sure, I’ll have a bite of that luscious fruit!”

And it’s no good blaming the snake oil selling deceivers. They’ll be held responsible for their words but we are responsible for our listening. We’re responsible to weigh everything we hear against God’s Word.

Who you gonna listen to? That’s the big question because the story you tell yourself impacts the story you’re living so you’d better line it up with the greatest story ever told.

The truth is hard enough to hear. Sometimes the truth hurts my feelings, my ego, and my plans but that’s no lasting pain compared to the damage deception does–the carnage it leaves behind.

Who convinced you to stray from the truth–then imprisoned you in shame for making the trip? That’s not God, that’s a snake in truth’s clothing.

Choose not to be a headline. Be a long and satisfying story with an ending that is just the beginning of a true adventure.  What story are you telling yourself today? That question can make all the difference.

Thoughts? I’d love to hear from you. I respond to every comment and reply to every email!

On weeks you don’t receive the blog, you’ll find me writing over on the Disturber of Hobbits Substack. I’d love for you to follow me there!

What? Who told you that you were naked? Don't believe everything you hear. https://t.co/AJRAnT9yQq #Bible #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) June 14, 2024

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My Encounter with Two Worthless Men (a Quick Bible Study in Choices)

Two worthless men. 

That’s an abrasive phrase, right there. Surely, not a Christian way of thinking or speaking.

Those were exactly my thoughts when I encountered the first man in 2 Samuel 20 so, of course, I dug into the Hebrew through a concordance.

I learned a new Hebrew word: bᵊlîyaʿal (bel-e-yah’-al). It means the quality of worthlessness. Good for nothing. Unprofitable. Wicked.

Okay, wow. God’s Word describing this man, not mine. Sure made me sit up and pay attention.

My initial focus in coming to this passage was a woman, the wise woman of Abel, who through decisive wisdom and persuasive words (and a little decapitation) saved her city from certain destruction at the hands of King David’s army.

This worthless man, Sheba, (the eventual victim of said decapitation), was the cause of the threat. He led an open revolt against King David, trying to usurp the throne. David sent Joab and his armies after Sheba but he holed up in the city of Abel, essentially using innocent citizens as a shield (there is nothing new under the sun).

This is a reprehensible choice. Sheba was known to God, having been conceived in our Creator’s mind.  Like each of us, he was known by God in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139). His life had worth, potential, and value at the start but now, Sheba had made enough wicked choices that he has become worthless.

We see it here. The city is besieged by the army and there will surely be loss of life and great suffering for many because of Sheba but he doesn’t surrender. He hides behind women and children.

God is a God of mercy. If Sheba were going to repent, God would have provided him time and space to do that. But we see from his actions that his bent is toward trouble, cowardice, rebellion, and self-indulgence.

Sheba was born with worth but his choices have taken him down a path to a destination called Worthless. He has pursued worthlessness rather than to find his worth in the love of and obedience to God. That path lies open to us all. To call him worthless is simply to acknowledge the place his actions have led him to dwell.

The wise woman of Abel confronts the general of David’s army, Joab, and asks why they would come to destroy one of Israel’s own cities. Joab explains that all they need is Sheba. It doesn’t take the wise woman long to promise that Sheba’s head will be sent out to Joab. She’s also able to persuade her fellow citizens of that course and Sheba comes to an end.

Wisdom triumphs over wickedness. A woman of worth prevails against a man who has chosen worthlessness. It’s not a judgement. It’s an observation.

In following another woman, Abigail, I encountered another worthless man, her husband Nabal.

1 Samuel 25:3 NASB says, “(now the man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. And the woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and he was a Calebite).”

Nabal puts his entire household at risk of death when he denies an invitation to the shearing of the sheep feast to David’s men who have protected them for an entire season. This is a stingy, evil insult to David and his men. When a servant of the house lets Abigail know of the danger they now face, she acts quickly and decisively. She gathers many provisions and heads out to meet David on the way. When she meets him, she says, “Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him; but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.” (1 Samuel 25:17)

Understand, Abigail is attempting to honor her household, take responsibility for the mess Nabal has made, and save his life along with everyone else’s. Furthermore, she’s seeking to deter David from making a terrible mistake of using his great power and prowess to avenge himself rather than to serve the Lord alone.

Nabal has, like Sheba, made choices leading down a path that leads to worthlessness. He could have chosen the ways of the Living God but he did not. Abigail is describing him, not judging him. Her wisdom saves their household and David’s honor.

When Nabal sobers up and learns the result of his choices, his heart dies within him. Ten days later, the Lord takes his life. David invites Abigail to marry him.

God is the author of life. He created each of us and then He presents us with choices. There are choices that lead to life–life in Christ and other choices that lead to death, worthlessness, wickedness, and destruction.

Paul warned Timothy about the times in which we live saying, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB

We live in the time of grace (so, “heads will roll” is only a saying, not a course of action), but we cannot hide our heads and imagine that evil is not truly evil or that wicked men (and women) do not exist and pose a threat to others. 

Our times call for wisdom. And wisdom is found in “the fear of the Lord,” in knowing and applying God’s Word, in hearing sound teaching (even when it makes us uncomfortable), and in making choices that lead to Jesus.

Wisdom cries out in the same streets that are plagued by violence. Our voices, too, must cry out so that others can hear the wisdom available in Christ and turn off the path that leads to worthless ways.

Truth isn’t always pleasant but every utterance of truth is a match struck against the darkness. Learn from Sheba and Nabal to not accumulate choices heading down the path of destruction. Make the choice of Jesus and find your worth in Him. That worth will lead to life.

Thoughts?

I respond to every comment and reply to every email.

Want to hear more about the wise woman of Abel and Abigail? Graceful Influence is available and covers these and over 120 women of the Bible, exploring their choices and celebrating God’s relationship with them all!

My encounter with two worthless men (a quick #Biblestudy in Choices) https://t.co/3ijgFnCzzh #wisewomanofAbel

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) May 17, 2024