Row of Ducks

It’s Saturday. I stretch out on a lounge chair and read a book. The sun warms the air around me. An ice-cold Dr. Pepper fizzes in my cup. My husband sits next to me, holding my hand. The laundry is folded. The dishes are washed. The house is clean. The bills are paid. The pets are fed. The fridge is full. Emails are answered. Family and friends are happy and healthy. All is right in my world. I am content.
In my dreams!

REALITY CHECK

My instinct is to put “all my ducks in a row,” and when the line is perfectly straight, I can sit back and

enjoy life. But have you ever tried to put real, live ducks in a row? Not having attempted it myself, my guess is that they wouldn’t stay there for long, if at all. I’m not sure why anyone would even bother trying. Ducks will only fall naturally into an imperfect row when following their mama.

If I was waiting for when I could get my “ducks” to align simultaneously, I’d be waiting until I meet Jesus face-to-face to be satisfied with my life. But – whoops! That means I’d spend my entire life feeling discontent! Contentment isn’t a result of perfect circumstances, it’s an inner peace in spite of circumstances. We live in an imperfect, fallen world. Life is never going to be perfect.
Contentment is an inner peace in spite of circumstances.

WHAT’S THE SECRET?

Contentment comes from God. “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isaiah 58:11

Contentment is learned. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Contentment results from thankfulness. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Contentment can’t coexist with worry. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Life isn’t about to-do lists. It’s about glorifying God through loving Him and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). John Piper, author and theologian, states that, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Instead of concerning ourselves with aligning our row of ducks, let’s focus on following our Father, in whom we can find perfect contentment under any circumstance.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” I Timothy 6:6-7

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Keeping Your Word

March 20, 2017

“I get so frustrated by your culture! Please don’t tell me ‘Let’s get together sometime,’ if you aren’t going to follow up on it! Just keep your word – act like a Christian!” This opening to my Intercultural Communication class in college was unanticipated and uncomfortable, at the least. While my Korean professor didn’t direct her morning diatribe toward me or anyone else in the class, I will never forget it. Her swift motions as she prepared her desk for teaching class that day conveyed the sense that a recent conversation, in addition to an accumulated mountain of similar irritations, served as the catalyst for her eruption. Were her feelings unfounded? Maybe not. Our society has gotten into the habit of saying we’ll do things without any real intention of following through. If it happens, great! If not, no sweat.

SO WHAT?

Just because something is culturally acceptable doesn’t mean that it’s biblical. It’s our responsibility to test and discern what glorifies God best through reading His Word – the lens of absolute truth through which we view and interpret the goings-on in the world. So, then, what does the Bible say about keeping our word? •  “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” James 5:12 •  “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 •  “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3 The Bible uses some pretty strong language to emphasize the importance of keeping our commitments. It also doesn’t mention keeping our word only when it’s convenient or when we feel like it. But it does promise blessing to those who choose integrity. The Bible promises blessing to those who choose integrity.

LET’S BE HONEST

When we say we’re going to do something, we are giving our word. The words “I promise” or “I swear” shouldn’t have to be present for a statement to mean anything of significance. In fact, the Bible even encourages us not to use such vernacular (Matthew 5:33-37).

God doesn’t call us to meet the status quo. We are called to stand out, to be in the world but not of it. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” If we live like the world does, we are unrecognizable as followers of Christ. Not only that, but the world is watching us to see if we live according to the standard we claim. Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” OUCH! The world can see when we are hypocritical and judges us for it. Instead, God desires our conversations to be “...honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (I Peter 2:12).

LIVING IT OUT

I find that we are tempted to break commitments if a better or more convenient opportunity comes along. I Corinthians 10:23 says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” Edification is all about setting ourselves – our needs and desires – aside for the purpose of building up others. My Intercultural Communication professor saw a direct link between following through on our words and acting like a Christian. Let’s test our actions to see if they represent Christ well to the glory of God, and make changes if necessary. Our God is full of mercy and grace! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” I Peter 3:15-16
Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Life of Purpose

Haman rose to power as the king’s right hand man over the Persian Empire. Mordecai, a servant at the king’s gate and a follower of God, refused to bow down and pay Haman respect like the other servants so he wouldn’t dishonor God. Haman grew angry at this perceived disrespect – so angry that he obtained the king’s permission to destroy not only Mordecai, but his entire people – the Jews. Haman cast lots, or purim, to choose the date this atrocity would occur.

IMPENDING DESTRUCTION.

Mordecai sought the help of his cousin, Esther, who just happened to be queen over the empire. He suggested she use her position as queen to implore the king’s prevention of this atrocity – but approaching the king without first being summoned by him was punishable by death. Would she risk her own life to save others? Mordecai reasoned with Esther, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and [tweet_box design="box_05" float="none"]who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?[/tweet_box]” (Esther 4:14). He saw that God had placed her in her position of importance for a purpose. Esther followed Mordecai’s advice, and through her brave actions, God saved both her and the Jews from annihilation.

TRADITION!

On March 9, the Jewish nation will celebrate God’s deliverance of His people from the Persians during the festival of Purim, named after the lots Haman used. Purim is celebrated by reading the book of Esther aloud. It’s traditional for those listening to make a commotion every time Haman’s name is mentioned – a total of 56 times!

Purim is also marked by donating to charity in honor of Esther 9:22, “...the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” But what fun would a festival be without good food? The day ends with a delicious dinner and a special dessert called “Haman’s Ears” – a jam-filled, three-cornered pastry – because Haman received his “just dessert.”

A PURPOSE AND A PLAN.

Like Esther, God has a purpose for each of His children. Psalm 119:12, 16 says, “For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb...Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” We can take comfort that God didn’t just know we were going to be born, but intended each of our days to have purpose before the foundation of the earth was even laid.

While Haman left the date of the Jew’s destruction up to chance by casting lots, God doesn’t gamble with our lives. He has specific reasons for having each of us in a particular place at a particular time. II Timothy 1:9 says, “God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” There are lessons we can learn, people we can bless, and opportunities for our faith to grow, living a life of purpose to God’s glory and because of His deliverance, as the Jewish nation so aptly celebrates this time of year.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff