How Does This Help Me Grow?

Events can consume us at this time of year. Halloween is this week. Races, parties, and even houses and yards testify to its theme. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that it literally is All Hallow’s Eve, the night before All Saints Day for many who profess to follow Christ. As we contemplate the trappings of Halloween, with its costumes, candy, and occasional trickery, we pause to ask, “How does this help me grow as a Christian? What good do I accomplish with this decision?” An election quickly follows Halloween this year. Some cynics might argue that that proximity is appropriate, given that politicians sometimes are accused of disguising their real motives and beliefs. However, elections give citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns and to dialogue with civic leaders during a time when those leaders have reason to listen. Some Christians insist that Christians should not vote, and that no politicians should be trusted. However, biblical prophets both advised and rebuked kings. John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul spoke truth to rulers; Jesus spent an evening with Nicodemus discussing the love of God. As we contemplate the election, we consider the character of the candidate (How does she treat people? Does he tell the truth?), but we also consider the morality and the social impact of the issues they advocate. We ask again, “How does this help me grow as a Christian? What good do I accomplish with this decision?” Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. We breathe a sigh of relief: a holiday without controversy. It’s all about giving thanks and that is a very Christian thing to do. It is, but sometimes thankfulness gets shoved out the door as we focus on food, decorations, football, and travel. Commercial stores almost seem to lose this holiday. Thanksgiving gives us remarkable opportunities to show hospitality, to reconcile with estranged friends and family members, to reflect on all the good in our lives, and to thank God. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, we ask once more, “How does this help me grow as a Christian? What good do I accomplish with this decision?” At this time of year, many of us realize that it’s time to plan for 2019. We review what we accomplished this year. We contemplate what our focus should be next year. We will reflect how our practice of prayer, Bible study, hospitality, generosity, and other spiritual disciplines helps us to be more like Christ. And we will ask, “How does this help me grow as a Christian? What good do I accomplish with this decision?”

A Secure Path

While we live, even though the world is in the power of the evil one, we have hope God who gives life and can empower us to overcome. We have a firm foundation and we have an anchor that will secure no matter how intense the storms of life may be. We can sing: “We have an anchor..” “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols”(1 John 5:20-21). At Rock City Gardens near Chattanooga, Tennessee, a swinging bridge provides a path across a deep chasm between two bluffs. As I followed my children across the bridge, my daughter froze. She wanted a firm foundation; she sensed no security. Only my presence and coaching gave her the confidence to trust the bridge and reach the other side. We crave safety and predictability in our relationships. We don’t want a swinging bridge. We don’t want to navigate the swamps of depression and fear. We want firm ground, preferably concrete pavement, underneath our feet in our relationship with family, with friends, and with God. Though the cables strain, they are secured by the Savior’s hand. He coaches us and he guides toward safety; he demonstrates concrete love. Will you keep yourselves from idols? Will you trust the true God and eternal life? Will you say yes to the concrete love of Christ?