Devotional

Sometimes 1+1=1

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On my walk to the recycle container in my community, it’s not uncommon to see something eye-catching for the first time. Recently, this was the one.

There are other larger clusters of similar design that I’ve wondered over, so this one hadn’t stood out. Now I cannot not see it between cul-de-sacs C and D.

I’ve also been walking through Romans. Explains the eye-catching.

Chapter 11 has always grabbed my attention. It’s Paul’s graphic image of wild branches (representing Gentiles) being “grafted in” to an olive tree (representing the Jews). His message is layered, but it ultimately describes exactly who God’s mercy is for…Everyone.

Interestingly, the next chapter starts with words that indicate Paul’s not done with this thought. This continuation is a well-known 1+1=2. Except, I’m not sure we always see the equation.

Chapter 12 pleads for believers to worship God for his mercy by offering ourselves as “living and holy sacrifices.” No individual, no one people group is better than all the others. In fact, we are one; we are reliant on each other like parts of a body.

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 NLT

Maybe the equation Paul is telling us is more accurate is 1+1=1.

If I knew an dendrologist (confession: I googled that), I’d invite them on a walk to cul-de-sacs C and D. Imagine what other equations there are to be reminded of…or to consider from the Creator’s point of view.

“Show Me Your Ridiculousness”

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(Enneagram 1 ALERT: Photo may cause hives)

The last time I quick-trimmed the hedge by the drive, it was pretty near impossible to not do the same to my neighbor’s.

The main thing that kept me from intruding was the ridiculousness of the pink bloom.

Guess where my eye goes every time I drive down the cul-de-sac.

Which is always the effect of ridiculousness-you can’t seem to stop looking, maybe because of the sheer awe.

The word ridiculous took on a new meaning for me while listening to a podcast episode last weekend-the same day of the quick-trimming. It wasn’t a direct quote, but the implication by one of the guests was this: “God is ridiculous.”

It may sound like rejection, but that’s not even close to how they used that adjective. The extreme opposite.

Modern slang of ridiculous means overwhelmingly amazing. Like Usain Bolt’s Olympic breakout in 2008 in Beijing. Or the view of the mountain backdrop when I walked out from dinner in April in Maui. Or my grand niece’s reaction every time she eats ice cream.

It’s ridiculous to me that this bush has only two blooms…and one of them belongs to this branch…and it’s lusciously pink…and it’s not resting on the pavement. To be honest, and that no one has trimmed it.

It’s a small example, one of infinite number, of God’s ridiculousness.

  • His ridiculous care for all the creatures (beetles, squirrels, bunnies, geckos) I pass during my early morning runs.
  • His ridiculous patience for all the humans he passes…all at once…at all times…without end.
  • His ridiculous attention to meeting needs before they are even realized.
  • His ridiculous forgiveness to all who misrepresent his image he copied to create them.
  • His ridiculous provision for peace at a table set for two in the middle of a battlefield.

Something may be hindering your ability to see it. My instinct is to encourage you to pray about it. That might be too much to ask. If that’s where you find yourself, here’s a prayer you might voice.

God, right now I’m struggling to appreciate you and being amazed by you. Right now, I could use your power, your rest, your peace, your acceptance, your embrace. Truthfully, I’m not really sure what I need. Maybe what I need most is for you to show me something so ridiculous that can only be explained that you provided it. Will you do that for me?

Amaze me. Overwhelm me. Show me your ridiculousness.

“Welcome to My Image!”

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This view through the slider of my Florida room continues to grow as a favorite. Certainly gave me thought this weekend.

The palm tree in the background represents how I’m tempted to think life should be. Straight up. No curves. Plenty of abundance visible to all. Healthy and alive. Pretty near perfect.

Maybe that’s why it’s barely visible by the opposing look of the foreground tree. Life represented by what’s closest.

Sudden turns, like the end of a highway with only one way to turn to keep ascending.

And that’s after a three-way option. Still proceeding skyward, just in different directions.

And closer to the base, a couple of knubs that have a story before my time. What happened there? A human? A storm? Both?

What’s close is beauty, uniqueness, character carved over time into one of a kind.

How’s that for a God whisper?

“I’m making you beautiful, unique, with character unlike any other. Welcome to my image!”

Asking and Letting God Do Surgery

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More from Mark Chironna’s “Rising With Hope” devotional

Here are three clips:

Before you pray for God to change your circumstances, ask Him to adjust your way of seeing them. (Day 22, Being and Becoming)

You are not a compartmentalized being, and God has not called you to disregard any part of yourself. (Day 23, Living in Your Body)

When He searches your heart, you can trust His gentleness. He will locate the triggers of your unrest, but His surgery is not only about removing what needs to go. It is also about resuscitating the precious parts of your heart, including the hopeful, creative places that have lain dormant under the weight of oppression and disappointment. He will awaken you to the living soul you were becoming and were created to be–the one who became hidden from sight over the course of time.. (Day 26, God in Your Depths)

The Edges of Darkness and Hope

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More from Mark Chironna’s “Rising With Hope” devotional

Here are three clips:

We live in a culture where everyone wants to win all the time. That is not exactly a Jesus idea. Instead, it makes people who have lost something feel like they don’t belong. (Day 11, Not a Loser)

Anything that is left broken in a family tree will only be passed down to the next generation. (Day 15, A Healing Life)

When what you buried alive rises to the surface of your consciousness, you can move in the direction of healing and greater peace. What looks like the edge of darkness becomes the edge of hope. (Day 21, In the Mercy of God)

Facing and Being Here With Pain

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More from Mark Chironna’s “Rising With Hope” devotional

Here are three clips:

Whatever you do, do not surrender your praise or self-isolate. Lift your praises to God and allow someone in the faith whom you trust to remind you who you are. (Day 5, Facing the Unthinkable)

The hardest thing about being here, in the place of your pain, is the thought that you might be there alone. I can assure you that you aren’t. Wherever here is, He is. (Day 7, Being Here)

David said to God, “You have…put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record?” Imagine! Your tears are so precious to God that He collects and keeps them! (Day 8, Being with Your Pain)

Seeing, Faith, and Feelings

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I’m three days into Mark Chironna’s “Rising With Hope” devotional

Here are two clips:

Sometimes you cannot see what you covered over until a crisis forces it back to the surface. Then you cannot unsee it. (Day 1, Firmly on the Edge of Hope)

Yes, you are called to live by faith rather than by sight. But faith does not ignore feelings. Faith considers feelings in the light of faith. (Day 2, Pay Attention)

Three Reminders from the Resort Lawn Guy

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We were enjoying the morning on the balcony, taking in the ocean view when this guy showed up.

I was a little confused. I had walked on that grass. Not a hint that it needed mowing. Why was that on his to-do list?

Pretty quickly I caught up. That’s how goodness works. That’s how discipline looks.

Even when it doesn’t look like it’s necessary…you do it

Even when no one would notice if you did or didn’t…you do it

Because it’s so much easier when you’re consistent…you do it

Thanks for the reminders, Sir!

If Only Stillness Were Black and White

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There are plenty of things that are pretty black and white for me.

  • All diets can include daily servings of ice cream
  • Baseball over hockey
  • “Thou shalt take naps” is the 11th Commandment

One that I wish were but it just isn’t is when to be still and when to move. We’ve all been there. The last 24 hours have reminded me that it’s not simple.

Last night a friend asked for prayer. In my efforts to pray scripture over them, Exodus 14:14 spilled out.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Based on the need, this seemed like an honorable reply for prayer.

This morning while waiting in the green room at church between worship sets, I resumed reading this book:

In describing a lifechanging conversation with a longtime friend, Chacour acknowledged the grayness of being still.

Here was that old question that had troubled me so long: As a Christian do you speak out against the actions of your enemies-or do you allow them to crush the life out of you? So many seemed to think that submitting to humiliation was the only Christian alternative. Should you not, sometimes, be stinging and preserving like salt?

Old question. So many people have answered it in ways that we admire, question, or scratch our head. If only it were black and white.

Here’s my answering history. Sometimes I’ve been still successfully; sometimes I’ve sat still too long. Sometimes I’ve moved timely; sometimes I’ve moved too quickly.

It feels like I’m constantly learning the lesson much like engaging traffic lights.

  • “Good Lord (not really a prayer). When is this light ever going to turn green?”
  • “I’m sorry (sort of a prayer). I was looking at my phone.”

If I were in charge, the traffic light of being still would have three different colors from the traditional ones.

  • Black = “You’ll regret moving, so don’t.”
  • Gray = “Have some ice cream, and chill.”
  • White = “Floor it!”

Good Lord (this is a prayer), thank you for fighting for me…and forgiving me when I don’t let you.

“Right Now, I Don’t Care. I’ll Deal With the Consequences.”

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Two Friday nights in a row I’ve knowingly eaten dessert that I was pretty sure I’d regret the next morning.

I was right.

Friday #1…too many cookies. Didn’t care.

Friday #2…the whole piece of pie. Didn’t care.

How did I know this? 19 years of running.

Not since 2012 have I full-fledged followed a marathon training plan. And by full fledge I mean, let’s get in all the long runs. All of them. Which also means, keep your pre-race-night eating rhythm. Which means, no dessert.

I know this. I also know my preferred serving of dessert means a lot of potty breaks during the next morning’s run. Rather than listen to my body these last two Friday nights, I told it, “I hear you. But sugar wins right now. You’ll have to deal with the consequences in the morning.”

Without TMI, let’s say yesterday’s run set a personal record! Hard to enjoy.

I think God might have been laughing at me around 9:30 this morning while my pastor was speaking. On an unrelated-but-not topic, he mentioned the importance rhythm plays in spiritual intake. It’s quite simple. Find it and stick to it. Consistency matters.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

As a disciplined person, I know this. But some days I allow myself to stray. I ALLOW MYSELF.

I’ve decided ahead. This Friday night, my body and my mind will sync. Pretty sure that means the odds of a better long run Saturday morning have risen significantly.

Photo by Skyler Ewing on Unsplash