Whatever We Do...Let's Do it for God

When my husband and I were just-married-youngsters (18 & 17), we were given some not-so-appealing jobs by his dad. He was the pastor of the church and we were the designated church custodians. My husband was a perfectionist. Oh, yes, he was. I was NOT! The church got the best of his perfectionism. He was the floor cleaner and polisher. When he was finished, those floors glistened. I got the bathrooms, including the toilets. I would laughingly say "I'm kneeling before the porcelain throne". I also said this scripture: "Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people." (Colossians 3:23). When I said those words with heart and soul, it made such a difference in making those toilets pristine clean.

We're on this germ-free mindset -- extra hand washing, using hand sanitizers, disinfecting our homes, drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruits and veggies for our immune system and social distancing ourselves. I’ve seen many of my neighbors posting on the Next Door app “Please let me know if I can run errands or pick up groceries for you!” I’ve watched you social media folks and you’re posting scriptures and calming words of hope. We may ask: "Is it really worth it? Are we really helping?" But, then this scripture comes up: “Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) When we do EVERYTHING as God's ambassadors, we are doing it – not just for us and those around us – but we're doing it ALL for God’s glory. And, then, it makes Him even more famous!

So here we are – smack dab in the middle of this “state of emergency” and many of us are pretty much homebound as we abide by the social distancing guidelines. But, we can be at home and whatever we do, we can still do it for God’s glory. Like what I did yesterday. I called friends and family that I hadn't spoken to in a long time. I texted and emailed words of cheer and encouragement. I prayed and read God's words from His “medicine chest” -- the Bible.

We can put uplifting and faith-filled words all over our homes. Keeping our minds filled with optimism and positivity (God’s Word is the best place to find that). We can get some Spring-cleaning done. I plan to start on clearing out unused clothes in my closet today! AND, this office chair that has had a broken arm rest for months? I ordered a new armrest from Amazon. It will be here today. Why did I wait so long?

When we stay on the side of optimism, peace and joy, we are doing all we do for God’s glory. Keeping in mind that we are still in the season of Lent, this is the perfect time to sacrifice all our complaints, worries and inconveniences with an attitude focused on the glory of God.

It’s not what we identify as the ideal Lenten season that leads up to Passion Week, but I think we can learn from our Savior’s example. Leading to the cross, He did everything for the glory of His Father. Was He inconvenienced? Was He misunderstood? Was He about His Father’s business in spite of it all? Perhaps it’s time to lean into Him more so we complain and worry less and prayerfully ask ourselves “In everything I do, am I doing it for the glory of God? If not – why not?

What Are You Passionate About?

After our Walk for Life yesterday morning, I made it home in time to hear the announcement that Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as Supreme Court Justice. I thought about the passion that had been displayed during this process by the opposing sides, the media, the senators, the activists that pounded their way into the chambers; incredibly emotional and convinced people on both sides. Then I saw emotions rise even higher as angry protesters passionately chanted on the steps of the supreme court. One thing’s for sure: They ARE passionate. I’ll be honest with you – I sensed my passion needed a pick-me-up in comparison to those highly passionate men and women I saw standing up for what they believe in – right or wrong.

Yesterday morning, some of our EMwomen joined other passionate people in the Walk/Hike for Life in McKinney, TX. There were booths set up with passionate representatives from homes for pregnant, homeless women that provide hope and help to them. Centers were represented for women who need healing after choosing abortion and for helping women to choose life. There are many people who are passionate about “choosing life” and who devote themselves to many volunteer hours to help make a difference. What is it that drives these people to give of their time to causes like this? What drove our little band of women and one strong man to raise funds and to show up to walk for life? It was the passion to make a difference.

It's time we all become passionate people -- to be those who put our lives on the line for a cause that radically changes the face of our country. Nothing great is ever accomplished in life without passion. Nothing great is ever sustained in life without passion. Passion is what energizes revolutions and mobilizes armies into action. Passion is what causes explorers to boldly go where no man's gone before. Passion is what causes scientists to spend late night hours trying to find the cure to a dreaded disease. Passion makes the impossible possible. Passion gives us a reason to get up in the morning and say, "I’m going to do something with my life today." Who wants a boring, monotonous, routine life? God created us with the emotions to have passion in our lives and He wants us to live a passionate life.

Today, I ask, “What are you passionate about?” Are you passionate enough to give your all to a cause that could change the world? That kind of passion changed the U.S. when the Roe vs Wade decision was made 45 years ago. Since 1973, as of 5 am today, there have been 60,780,461 abortions; murders of precious babies (the ticker went up one by one as I watched online). What kind of passion drove prayer out of our schools and the 10 commandments from public spaces? What kind of passion was changed the definition of marriage between a man and a woman? My fellow believers in God’s Word, IT IS TIME to wake up and be heard with our passion for life, for morality, for righteousness and the truth of God’s Word. We must not be silent and nonchalant any longer. It's time we stir up our passion and register to vote in the November 6th election.

The passion of Jesus led to the redemption of man. We can model His passion. The Bible tells us that we’re to seek God passionately. We’re to love God passionately. The Bible says that we’re to serve and obey God passionately. We’re to trust God passionately. Then as if we didn’t get the message, in Colossians 3:23 He says "Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart as unto the Lord and not unto men." He says I want you to do everything passionately when it comes to loving Me, serving Me, living for Me.

Laying Up Treasures in Heaven

Yesterday, we attended my grandson's "matriculation" ceremony.
I asked, “What does matriculation mean?” Maybe you’d like to know the answer, too! Matriculation is the admission to a group, particularly a school. After some IQ-testing, my grandson passed the exams and was admitted (matriculated) to Regents School of Austin, and yesterday, his dad, mom and I attended the matriculation (orientation) ceremony. At that ceremony for middle school: 7th and 8th graders, I saw things around the gymnasium that gave me the Nana-kind-of-warm-fuzzy-feelings. It started with this scripture boldly displayed on the wall: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Then I saw the Latin words, “Coram Deo”, also boldly displayed and I, not being the sharpest tool in the “Latin” toolbox, had to look it up. The phrase, “Coram Deo” means: “in the presence of God" which means living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.” Indeed, I sensed that true Presence when we heard the Head of the School of Logic's (that’s the “middle school”) address to us. His message impressed upon us how important it is to get our priorities right.

He read from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-21” “Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth where moths and rust can destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

He gave a compelling address to start this school year out with "first things first" in terms of putting our greatest attention on the greatest ONE! He said: “I am trying to impress upon us to make sure we’re treasuring the right thing and that we are setting our affections in the right direction. This year we’re encouraging each other to train our affections and to re-orient our mindsets. What does “orient mean”? “Orient” has to do with direction. “Orient” comes from “oriental” – the East. To “orient ourselves” is to turn in the direction of the East. The sun comes up in the East. Christ is referred to as the “orient” the East, the light of the world. We have the opportunity to help each other to correctly “orient” our lives, our affections and, most importantly, to store up our treasures (our minds, will and emotions) toward Jesus. He is the right direction. How often is our cell phone and what’s on its screen “our treasure”? When Jesus said to Martha "Mary has chosen the right thing", it was because she was facing Jesus and directing her attention to Him. If our treasure is Jesus, then our heart is with Him and our attention is on Him.

I must tell you, I went to that “matriculation”/orientation ceremony and found out what matriculation meant and to be that Nana in the audience who was oohing, aahing and taking photos of her handsome grandson in his tie (required for chapel every Monday), white shirt and khaki slacks. Perhaps I was laying up some treasures on earth, but before I left that ceremony, I got the message that was meant for all of us. To purposefully make my mission laying up treasures in heaven and to face in the right direction – the direction of Jesus where I am more like Mary – doing the right thing instead of my usual hanging out with Martha where busyness and striving is my way-of-life, way too often!