These may be reminders. They may be challengers. They are descriptors John Sowers wrote to his daughters about what it means to be a friend.
(Chapter 21, Say All the Unspoken Things)
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Did something a few weeks ago that I haven’t done in a while. Went to an actual bookstore. It was for work, but how does a reader go in a bookstore and not make a personal purchase?
So on my running trip two weeks ago, one of the books made the trip. I’m 15 chapters in.
Chapter 14 is entitled “Whispers.” This paragraph starter got my attention:
There is a verse in Psalms that says, “God whispers to those who trust him.”
Made me want to look it up. Couldn’t find it. Then I checked the chapter notes.
Psalm 25:14, author’s paraphrase
I respect that.
Next I opened my Bible app to compare various translations of this verse. Here are three that come close to Sowers’ paraphrase:
Chapter 14 is in Part 4 of the book entitled “Becoming.” These verses’ images encourage me to be becoming.
In a recent interview, a pastoral candidate described what he was hoping for as “a tall order.” I replied, “I’m pretty sure God can handle tall orders.” Not that He’s obligated to any human’s orders, but He’s more than capable to fill them.
You got a current tall order?
Whatever it is, consider these talking points in your prayers the rest of this week:
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Before the rainbow only one family received God’s grace.
Before the rainbow the earth was full of corruption.
Before the rainbow a 100-year project had to be completed.
Before the rainbow every God-given detail had to be followed.
Before the rainbow goodbyes were said to everything.
Before the rainbow a year-long boat ride.
Before the rainbow an altar produced a new covenant.
The rainbow reminds us of a promise. I appreciate the lessons to be learned from remembering what came before the rainbow.
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Left this morning for my first 2024 race trip. Checking off three states between Friday and Monday.
I pretty exclusively fly Southwest. And I want to give a shoutout to this guy.
From what I observed, a lunch conversation with him would be fun. He’s got a story or two, no doubt.
But my shoutout is due to his leading a flight in a way I’ve never witnessed. Here are six ways he did it.
It wasn’t appropriate as we deplaned, but I wanted to tell him employees like him give Southwest a good name. More importantly, for all the people he’d say he represents, he gives all of them a good name.
Well done, Sir!
Following my last post, everyone lives in a perpetual state of not knowing what they don’t know. Inside of that bubble comes moments when we learn something we’d rather not know. Is it just me, or do those things make you wish you could unlearn them? And, doesn’t it seem like it’s happening more and more, almost daily?
Seven chapters later in Joshua, I’m guessing Caleb could relate with these two questions. His conversation with Joshua was 45 years after learning something very costly. It cost many men he knew their lives. Caleb was promised he wasn’t included in that result, yet he lived with knowing so much that I imagine he struggled knowing.
Knowledge brings choices. I prefer that thought over the thought that knowledge is power. Both can be true; but looking through Caleb’s 45-year hindsight, I lean toward his model of making righteous choices versus abusing bestowed power with his knowledge.
CHOICE #1: Knowledge doesn’t make you king.
Caleb may have been tempted to envy Joshua or to disrespect his predecessor, Moses. He didn’t, I believe, because he made the choice not to pursue a physical position of authority just like he didn’t assume one in his spiritual life. Caleb was not the king of his life. His choice led him down a long, hard, unchosen path resulting in generational blessings no other man with his knowledge received.
CHOICE #2: Knowledge doesn’t dictate direction.
Realistically, Caleb could have taking a direction in an attempt to act on what he knew. Yet, year after year after year, he chose to submit to a direction that must have seemed avoidable and sorrowful. What kept that choice in tact was a promise, a promise that sustained and grew his strength around each turn to his final destination.
CHOICE #3: Knowledge does offer servanthood.
Another guess I have about Caleb is that he viewed life as a gift. Life didn’t owe him. It didn’t owe him power or guarantee him ease. This view of life molded him into a servant. He allowed it. He welcomed it. He embraced it. That’s why 45 years later he reaped a servant’s reward.
When we know what we don’t want to know, may be all be drawn to Caleb’s choices. For the long haul. For everyone’s future. For the promised land. For the Promise Keeper.
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One of the more liberating understandings I came to appreciate years ago was that there are times I don’t know what I don’t know. Well, maybe at first it wasn’t liberating. Probably more frustrating…until grace stepped in.
This came to mind recently when I read Joshua 7. Talk about a frustrated leader. Joshua was deep in it. Here’s how he voiced it to God:
7 Then Joshua said, “Oh no, Lord God! Why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan? Was it to hand us over to the power of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been prepared to live on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Please forgive me, Lord. What can I say now that Israel has retreated before its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the whole population of the land will hear of it. They will surround us and make our name disappear from the earth. What will you do about your great name then?”
In this moment, Joshua had no idea what Achan had done. In all reality, it’s possible he didn’t even know Achan. Think about it. A man he may not have known was the reason behind his questioning, pleading, and speculating. Joshua didn’t know what he didn’t know.
These type of scenarios can be an opportunity to hit pause. Before finger pointing at God or spraying the mirror with the “why’s, what are you doing’s, or what will happen’s,” some additional questions are available that usher in curiosity and temper impatience.
Those kind of questions change prayers, create stillness, and offer a seat beside restorative waters. When and if I need to know what I don’t know, it will come. This is a moment for grace…and there’s plenty available.
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John Gregory 