Noticeable

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, 

and favor is better than silver or gold…

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings;

 he will not stand before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:1,29). 

           Like electrifying lightning bolts etched across a midnight sky, the opening and closing statements of Proverbs 22 are charged with the significance of pursuing the worthy goals of a virtuous name and a diligent work ethic. Interestingly, two of the most memorable characters in the Old Testament exemplified these outstanding qualities, standing fearlessly before royalty on behalf of the God whom they served.
           Daniel and Joseph endured the horrific ordeal of being yanked from their homeland and forced to serve in a foreign setting, far, far away from anything familiar or comfortable. But like purest gold purified by immersion in flames, their lives illuminated and transformed their pagan surroundings.
           The Bible tells us, “The LORD was with Joseph…his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands” (Genesis 39:2-3). After only one conversation with Joseph, and recognizing that the “Spirit of God” dwelt in him, Pharaoh handed over the reigns of the entire Egyptian government to this slave turned prisoner turned dream revealer.
          Daniel’s path runs parallel to Jacob’s lost son. Each of the men possessed beauty, brains and breeding and yet, with a spirit of utmost humility, honored the Lord in their actions and their words. After Daniel first related and then interpreted his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar, “Fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel” (Daniel 2:46). The king’s next words are as extraordinary as his actions: “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings” (Verse 47).
           The men chose to walk uncompromisingly and brought honor to God’s holy name. They worked skillfully on behalf of the Living God, representing him with integrity in the smallest details. Is it any wonder that their names and character shine brighter than ever after all these centuries?
           Go ahead. Do it God’s way. The King who matters will take notice too.

 Elizabeth A. Mitchell

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Offering

“You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty

 to bring them down.” II Samuel 22:28

           Threads of humility embroidered throughout a person’s character shimmer like strands of silver, attracting far more attention than pride’s peacock feathers ever could. This striking quality is visible in Joseph as he forgives his brothers’ treachery, in Daniel’s uncompromising choices in a pagan land, and in Paul’s concern for those who labored beside him as the early church first began to soar.
           Submission, obedience and service all thrive when rooted in the soil of humility. Paul encourages wives to submit, husbands to love, fathers to caution, children to obey, and slaves to willingly serve their masters. The charge to each is clarified with an encouragement to view these relationships from the perspective of true humility. “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
           But Paul did not dictate humility for others like a physician heedlessly prescribing medication; he lived it. In his own hand, with chains binding him inside prison walls, his deep concern and appreciation for his fellow workers demonstrates to us that humility permeated his own life. Rather than elevating himself, he gives honor to a dozen believers who worked tirelessly beside him.
           Using terms of endearment, Paul refers to them as “beloved brothers,” “fellow servants,” and “faithful ministers.” Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus and a long list of other unfamiliar names, crown the ending to this letter. All were essential to the cause of the Gospel; each one fulfilling the purpose God had set before them.
           Oftentimes, we become discouraged with the call to service and submission. The daunting challenge may overwhelm us or seem outdated at best. But in remembering that our first priority is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in everything, the other commands file into place. We belong to him. He is our true Master. Our loving service or obedient response to others is simply a sincere and humble offering we can dedicate to him.

 Elizabeth A. Mitchell

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Step Forward

 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6) 

           We like to believe we can accelerate ahead, feet barely skimming the track, making progress like a champion sprinter determined to cross the finish line at a record speed. But life is far more often a plodding, one sole up and one sole down, onward movement by faltering steps, daily decisions to endure and proceed, regardless.
           In the particular way we received Christ by faith, as we looked to him for salvation and life eternal, with the mindset that he is Lord and we are to bow to his control, we are called to make our way. With a lifestyle patterned after his, keeping in step with his example, staying close by his side as we develop spiritually, we measure our progress by his standards. We are summoned to simply keep walking with the Savior.
           Unlike unhinged tumbleweed that is blown around, the Lord reminds us to be firmly rooted in his rich soil and to draw spiritual nourishment there. Since Living Water and Bread of Life are two of his names, and the Scriptures are referred to as “the sincere milk of the Word,” it is to our distinct advantage to hunker down in his presence, to linger long with his sacred writings in order to be completely saturated and satisfied with his Truth.
           The purpose he has for us also involves building, layer upon layer, erecting a framework upon his foundation. Nowhere is the concept more clearly stated than in 2 Peter 1:5: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”
          The next verse sums up how to reach the finish line with flying colors. “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
           Walking, rooting, building - step forward and watch him work.

Elizabeth A. Mitchell

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Completely Done

 “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).
           When Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit of a young boy, when he broke the chains of death that bound Jairus’ daughter, or when the man’s withered hand was restored in the middle of an ordinary Sabbath gathering, no one assisted him in the healing process. All by himself, by Christ’s power and might and majesty, the evil spirit cowered and fled, the girl rose from bed, and the crippled man was made whole again.
           In all four Gospels, every instance when Jesus healed a complete healing occurred. The sick, the lame, and the tortured soul all left his presence transformed and utterly whole. No paralytic ever limped away after Jesus cured his palsy, no leper had left-over blemishes that marked his skin, and no physician or therapist was ever called on to remedy the breach Jesus left behind.
           Likewise, when Jesus heals us spiritually by washing away our sins, forgiving our transgressions, and erasing our debts, our healing is also perfectly complete. All by himself, Jesus forgives, cleanses, and redeems; no one ever needs to assist his saving grace.
           The mentality that asserts, “God helps those who help themselves,” mistakenly believes that somehow we must include our own efforts to make salvation work. Surely our good deeds, righteous acts, or some “circumcised” work is a necessary requirement?
           But Christ doesn’t need our help anymore than he needed the blind man’s assistance in restoring his own sight. Jesus forgives all our transgressions, he cancels the whole debt, and he nails all our sins to the cross. Spiritually dead and enslaved in a kingdom of darkness, he rescued us and gave us new life.
           Perfectly fitting then for Peter to proclaim: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

 Elizabeth A. Mitchell

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